en ‧ thu ‧ si ‧ as ‧ tic S3 /ɪnˌθjuːziˈæstɪk◂ $ ɪnˌθuː-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ enthusiasm , ↑ enthusiast ; verb : ↑ enthuse ; adverb : ↑ enthusiastically ≠ UNENTHUSIASTICALLY ; adjective : ↑ enthusiastic ≠ UNENTHUSIASTIC ]
feeling or showing a lot of interest and excitement about something
enthusiastic about (doing) something
All the staff are enthusiastic about the project.
The singer got an enthusiastic reception.
an enthusiastic supporter of reform
—enthusiastically /-kli/ adverb
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ be/feel enthusiastic
The Irish are very enthusiastic about horse racing.
▪ seem/appear enthusiastic
I wanted to go, but Helen seemed less enthusiastic.
▪ sound enthusiastic
‘I’m sure we can do it,’ she said, trying to sound enthusiastic.
▪ look enthusiastic
Your husband doesn’t look too enthusiastic about the idea.
■ enthusiastic + NOUN
▪ enthusiastic support
His policies won him the enthusiastic support of middle-income voters.
▪ enthusiastic supporter
He is an enthusiastic supporter of the war.
▪ enthusiastic response
The proposal has received an enthusiastic response from the union.
▪ enthusiastic reception/welcome
The audience gave him an enthusiastic reception.
▪ enthusiastic crowd/audience
It’s nice to see such an enthusiastic crowd at the match.
▪ enthusiastic applause
His speech was greeted by enthusiastic applause.
▪ an enthusiastic amateur (=someone with a fairly low level of skill who tries hard)
There are a few professionals in the race, but most are enthusiastic amateurs.
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THESAURUS
▪ enthusiastic feeling or showing a lot of interest or excitement about something:
He’s really enthusiastic about his new job.
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An enthusiastic crowd cheered the team onto the pitch.
▪ eager wanting to do something or know about something very soon:
He was eager to hear every detail of her day.
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She was always eager for her turn on the catwalk.
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The room was full of eager young faces.
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We waited in eager anticipation.
▪ keen eager to work or learn:
She hasn’t much experience but she’s very keen.
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John was a keen student who worked very hard.
▪ zealous doing something in a very enthusiastic way, especially supporting something or making sure that people obey rules :
She was a zealous supporter of the revolution.
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The company has been extremely zealous in defending its interests.
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Officials have been very zealous in the application of the new regulations.
▪ avid [only before noun] written used when you want to emphasize that someone does something a lot or is very interested in something:
an avid golfer
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She was an avid reader all her life.
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I’ve become an avid collector of his work.
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Henry is an avid fan of the sport.
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As a schoolboy he had an avid interest in birds.
▪ fervent written believing or feeling something very strongly and sincerely:
Galinsoga was one of Franco’s most fervent supporters.
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One of Allen 's fervent admirers was Richard Nixon.
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her fervent belief in promoting the work of good women artists
▪ be mad about something British English informal to like something very much and be very interested in it:
My sister’s mad about horses.
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Since you’re so mad about clothes, you can help me choose a wedding dress.
▪ can’t wait to do something to be very eager to do something:
I can’t wait to get started.
▪ be looking forward to something to feel pleased and excited because you know that something is going to happen soon:
I’m looking forward to the vacation.