Meaning & use
enthusiastic
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Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Showing strong excitement and eager interest in something.
Grammar: Often followed by about: enthusiastic about the trip. Can be used before a noun: an enthusiastic response.
Patterns
- enthusiastic about something
- enthusiastic about doing something
- enthusiastic response
- enthusiastic supporter
She was very enthusiastic about the new project.
The audience gave the singer an enthusiastic welcome.
He is enthusiastic about learning new languages.
adjectivecomparable
Showing eager approval or support for someone or something.
Grammar: Often used before a noun: enthusiastic support, enthusiastic fans.
Patterns
- enthusiastic support
- enthusiastic fans
- enthusiastic about someone
The proposal received enthusiastic support from the committee.
The team has a large group of enthusiastic fans.
Her colleagues were enthusiastic about her promotion.
Word forms
| comparative | more enthusiastic |
|---|---|
| superlative | most enthusiastic |
Common combinations
- enthusiastic about
- They seemed enthusiastic about the idea.
- enthusiastic welcome
- The visitors received an enthusiastic welcome.
- enthusiastic support
- The plan has enthusiastic support from local businesses.
- highly enthusiastic
- She was highly enthusiastic about the opportunity.
- less than enthusiastic
- He was less than enthusiastic about cleaning the garage.
Synonyms and how they differ
- eager
- Eager suggests a strong desire to do something; enthusiastic is more about excitement and interest.
- keen
- Keen is common in British English and means very interested; enthusiastic is more general.
- passionate
- Passionate is stronger and suggests deep emotion; enthusiastic is lighter and more about eagerness.
Opposites
Word family
- enthusiasm noun
- A strong feeling of excitement and interest.
- enthuse verb
- To make someone feel excited or to speak with excitement.
- enthusiast noun
- A person who is very interested in a particular activity or subject.
- enthusiastically adverb
- In a way that shows strong excitement and interest.
Commonly confused: enthusiastic or enthusiasm?
enthusiastic vs enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is a noun; enthusiastic is an adjective. Say 'She has enthusiasm' or 'She is enthusiastic', not 'She is enthusiasm'.
Practice
Which sentence is correct?
Choose one answer.
The adjective 'enthusiastic' is normally followed by 'about' when naming the thing you are excited about. The other prepositions do not fit this pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “enthusiastic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.