enthusiasmen‧thu‧si‧as‧m /ɪnˈθjuːziæzəm $ ɪnˈθuː-/ ●●○ W3 noun 
Gillian and Darren greeted the speakers with great enthusiasm. We went along to the local diving club, full of enthusiasm. They go about their tasks with little enthusiasm.enthusiasm for Britain’s apparent lack of enthusiasm for such a scheme Employers showed little enthusiasm for the new regulations. He shares your enthusiasm for jazz. I left university fired with enthusiasm for work. A delay of two hours did not dampen their enthusiasm.2[countable] formal an activity or subject that someone is very interested inCOLLOCATIONSverbshave enthusiasm· He never had much enthusiasm for work.show enthusiasm· The younger children showed little enthusiasm for the game.lose (your) enthusiasm· The diet started well, but I lost enthusiasm after a while.arouse/generate enthusiasm formal (=make people feel enthusiastic)· The changes to the timetable failed to arouse enthusiasm amongst the staff.dampen somebody’s enthusiasm (=cause people to be unenthusiastic)· The rain had dampened our enthusiasm.share somebody’s enthusiasm· I’m afraid I don’t share my husband’s enthusiasm for camping.fire somebody’s enthusiasm (=make someone feel very enthusiastic)· At high school, Mr Jones really fired my enthusiasm for history.adjectivesinfectious (=spreading from one person to another)· Her enthusiasm was infectious.great/much/considerable enthusiasm· There was considerable enthusiasm for the idea of a party.enormous/tremendous enthusiasm· He always plays with tremendous enthusiasm.genuine/real enthusiasm· She talked about the project with genuine enthusiasm.boundless/unbounded enthusiasm formal (=very great)· I’d like to thank the design team for their boundless enthusiasm.little enthusiasm (=not much enthusiasm)· In the nearby villages, there’s little enthusiasm for the airport.initial enthusiasm (=happening at the beginning, but not lasting)· After a few months, their initial enthusiasm had started to wane.renewed enthusiasm (=starting again, with increased energy or interest)· After lunch, she went about the task with renewed enthusiasm.youthful enthusiasm (=enthusiasm that is typical of young people)· The team has just the right mix of youthful enthusiasm and experience.phraseswith/without enthusiasm· The proposal has been greeted with enthusiasm by both parties.(be) full of enthusiasm (=very enthusiastic)· He entered politics full of enthusiasm, but that gradually disappeared.be brimming/bursting/bubbling with enthusiasm (=be very excited and enthusiastic)· Andrea’s voice was brimming with enthusiasm when she told John her plans.be fired (up) with enthusiasm (=be very enthusiastic and keen to do something)· She came back from the course fired up with enthusiasm.a wave/burst/surge of enthusiasm (=a sudden feeling of enthusiasm)· The new year began with a fresh wave of enthusiasm.a lack of enthusiasm· My lack of enthusiasm for his suggestion made him angry.
WORD ORIGINenthusiasm
Origin:
1500-1600 Greek enthousiasmos, from entheos ‘filled (by a god) with sudden strong abilities’, from theos ‘god’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Greta was full of enthusiasm for the plan.
- I'd forgotten about Jim's enthusiasm for going on 20-mile walks.
- She plays tennis with great enthusiasm, but not very well.
- The company has had another successful year, thanks to the enthusiasm and energy of our workforce.
- Absent, too, is the zealous activism of a huge freshman class that entered Washington two years ago brimming with enthusiasm.
- Genetic control is now at the forefront of medical, scientific and state enthusiasm over the new reproductive technologies.
- His own enthusiasm for the Internet began by accident.
- It says here that you failed to show any sort of enthusiasm in the leadership drills.
- More than anything else, he feels sad, he feels drained of enthusiasm, he feels disappointed in the world.
- She had a great empathy with animals and vast enthusiasm for what she did.
- Well, not too radical actually, since trades unionists are not noted for their enthusiasm for rapid change.
Longman Language Activatorenthusiastic feelings or behaviour
enthusiastic feelings or behaviour: the enthusiasm of somebody/somebody's enthusiasm: · The company has had another successful year, thanks to the enthusiasm and energy of our workforce.enthusiasm for: · I'd forgotten about Jim's enthusiasm for going on 20-mile walks.full of enthusiasm (=very enthusiastic): · Greta was full of enthusiasm for the plan.with great enthusiasm: · She plays tennis with great enthusiasm, but not very well.
a great and excited desire to do, get, or see something soon: · He could see the eagerness in her face.eagerness for: · the President's obvious eagerness for an arms-control agreementin somebody's eagerness to do something: · Mark spoke quickly in his eagerness to explain his ideas.
enthusiastic behaving in a way that shows how much you like, enjoy, or approve of something: · A small but enthusiastic crowd cheered as the players ran onto the field.· Several enthusiastic young teachers have just started working at the school.enthusiastic about: · He's still really enthusiastic about his new job.
especially British very enthusiastic about an activity or job: · She hasn't much experience but she's very keen.keen on: · There are plenty of after-school opportunities for people who are keen on athletics.keen on doing something: · My parents have always been keen on travelling, whenever they get the chance.a keen golfer/photographer/gardener etc: · Chris is a keen photographer - he's won several competitions.keen to do something: · Gabby was obviously anxious to do well, and Jane was keen to help her.
wanting very much to do, get, or see something soon: · A crowd of eager fans were waiting outside the hotel.eager to do something: · She hurried home from college, eager to hear Tom's news.eager for: · Simon was an ambitious man, eager for power and prestige.
to be very enthusiastic about an idea or plan, and talk about it with great excitement: · We've discussed the idea and she seems to be full of enthusiasm.be full of enthusiasm for: · Roger was full of enthusiasm for Tony's plan.
to be enthusiastic about something that is going to happen: · It was a great opportunity, and I began to get really excited about it.· Astronomers are very excited about a comet that will pass close to Earth later this month.
to be extremely enthusiastic and excited about something that you are going to do, so that you cannot wait to begin: · Come on, hurry up. The kids are raring to go.· It's going to be a tough game, but the whole team's ready and raring to go.
extremely enthusiastic about something such as a political or religious idea which you believe in very strongly, and behaving in a way that shows this: a zealous believer/opponent/supporter etc: · Only the most zealous supporters of Thatcherism were in favour of the tax.zealous in doing something: · Some of the officers were more zealous than others in enforcing the disciplinary code.
to make someone feel enthusiastic about something to make someone feel enthusiastic about something and make them feel that it is worth doing: · When I actually visited the university, it inspired me and made me want to go there.inspire somebody to do something: · The lecture today really inspired me to read more poetry.
to make someone feel enthusiastic about their work or their studies, and work hard: · It's often more difficult to motivate boys than girls.· Every good teacher knows that criticism does not motivate learners.motivate somebody to do something: · Only one third of workers said their supervisors know what motivates them to do their best work.
British also fire somebody up especially American to make someone extremely enthusiastic so that they want to work very hard to achieve something: · His speech fired the audience with enthusiasm.be (all) fired up: · Brown was fired up about being back on the field again after his injury.· By the end of the meeting the sales team were all fired up and eager to start selling.
a rousing song, speech etc makes people feel excited and eager to do something: · His rousing speeches soon created a massive following.· Rousing organ music was coming from the church.
not enthusiastic · Are you sure you want to come? You don't sound very enthusiastic.unenthusiastic/not enthusiastic about · She had never been very enthusiastic about her job as a designer.distinctly unenthusiastic (=definitely unenthusiastic) · The staff were distinctly unenthusiastic about the whole idea.
without much enthusiasm or effort: · Her apology was very half-hearted.· People are starting to criticize the government for its half-hearted approach to reform.half-hearted attempt: · Yves had made a half-hearted attempt to be friendly.
if you say your heart's not in it , you mean you are not enthusiastic about something you are doing, especially because you are not interested in it any more or because you do not think it is worth doing: · I really loved teaching at first but my heart's not in it any more.· My heart's not in this job. In fact I hate it.
not enthusiastic about something that someone has suggested or done, especially because you do not think it is very good: · Their response to my idea was only lukewarm.lukewarm to/towards: · Research chief, Michael Greenall, said "I'm lukewarm toward the whole deal."lukewarm about: · Investment fund managers are a little lukewarm about the prospects of these bonds.lukewarm response/reaction etc: · Lester finished speaking, and there was a ripple of rather lukewarm applause.
if someone shows a lack of enthusiasm about something, they are not as enthusiastic about it as people expect them to be: a clear/distinct/marked lack of enthusiasm (=very definite and clear lack of enthusiasm): · Sam showed a distinct lack of enthusiasm when I told him my holiday plans.lack of enthusiasm for: · Many people displayed a lack of enthusiasm for the proposal.
: muted response/enthusiasm/reaction etc expressions of feelings which are not as enthusiastic as usual or as expected: · There was rather a muted response to the speech.· The Air Transport Association expressed muted support for the action.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs I was fired with enthusiasm to go traveling in Asia. stories of magic and adventure that fire children’s imaginations infectious enthusiasm renewed concern about farming methods
· He never had much enthusiasm for work.
· The younger children showed little enthusiasm for the game.
· The diet started well, but I lost enthusiasm after a while.
formal (=make people feel enthusiastic)· The changes to the timetable failed to arouse enthusiasm amongst the staff.
(=cause people to be unenthusiastic)· The rain had dampened our enthusiasm.
· I’m afraid I don’t share my husband’s enthusiasm for camping.
(=make someone feel very enthusiastic)· At high school, Mr Jones really fired my enthusiasm for history.
adjectives (=spreading from one person to another)· Her enthusiasm was infectious.
· There was considerable enthusiasm for the idea of a party.
· He always plays with tremendous enthusiasm.
· She talked about the project with genuine enthusiasm.
formal (=very great)· I’d like to thank the design team for their boundless enthusiasm.
(=not much enthusiasm)· In the nearby villages, there’s little enthusiasm for the airport.
(=happening at the beginning, but not lasting)· After a few months, their initial enthusiasm had started to wane.
(=starting again, with increased energy or interest)· After lunch, she went about the task with renewed enthusiasm.
(=enthusiasm that is typical of young people)· The team has just the right mix of youthful enthusiasm and experience.
phrases· The proposal has been greeted with enthusiasm by both parties.
(=very enthusiastic)· He entered politics full of enthusiasm, but that gradually disappeared.
(=be very excited and enthusiastic)· Andrea’s voice was brimming with enthusiasm when she told John her plans.
(=be very enthusiastic and keen to do something)· She came back from the course fired up with enthusiasm.
(=a sudden feeling of enthusiasm)· The new year began with a fresh wave of enthusiasm.
· My lack of enthusiasm for his suggestion made him angry.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES I was fired with enthusiasm to go traveling in Asia. stories of magic and adventure that fire children’s imaginations infectious enthusiasm renewed concern about farming methods (=feel the same concern, enthusiasm etc as someone else)· I share the concern of parents about the content of some of these computer games.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· The success of the pre-action protocols has been greeted with considerable enthusiasm.
· But most important of all was the enormous enthusiasm of thousands of show visitors.· At one time the City had an enormous enthusiasm for mergers.
· But we were full of enthusiasm, essential to survive that first rainy season in the forest.· She was standing there crammed full of enthusiasm and energy like a bomb on a short fuse.· In spite of this, those actors who stole into the auditorium between entrances returned full of enthusiasm.· Extroverted, quick and full of enthusiasm, she hopped about the carpet without a word of greeting to anyone.· The initial meeting attracted more than a hundred local lesbians and gays full of enthusiasm and curiosity.
· There are good historical reasons for this general lack of enthusiasm among the public at large.· Sales were flat, touring was down and general enthusiasm was low.· They await the general election with enthusiasm because they want this wretched Government out of office.· Apart from these particular initiatives there was a general enthusiasm for the way in which fundholding had opened up communication with hospital colleagues.
· A passenger sitting next to me flung a coin into the river with great enthusiasm.· I have the greatest enthusiasm for the mission....· Harvey had always had a mania for showers and baths and he had taken to the sauna ritual with great enthusiasm.· With their job security for the moment assured, employees began to approach their tasks with greater enthusiasm and concentration.· We do not have great enthusiasm for the Bill.· However, the economics of such systems are not viewed with very great enthusiasm.· They set about this task with great enthusiasm.· Michelle's vote seemed to be holding up, he reported, but there was no great enthusiasm for the President.
· This was not by drama, but by being around, and by being himself, and by an infectious enthusiasm.
· Some three years on from that initial burst of enthusiasm and the corresponding outcry from the professional market much has changed.· Their activity created some initial enthusiasm, but was found to be poor compared with quinine.· FoE suggests that the initial enthusiasm for saving water may be short-lived.
· Labour, for instance, had taken up Britain's role East of Suez in 1964 with no little enthusiasm.· They go about their tasks with little enthusiasm, hope, or urgency.
· There has been a new type of enthusiasm injected into the workforce by management and workforce alike.· The workers liked the new system, and reflected new enthusiasm for their activities.· Morris returned from that trip fired with a new enthusiasm for captaincy.· Some members of management committees none the less throw themselves into their new role with enthusiasm.
· There was no real enthusiasm and we launched in the training programme in a rather unstructured way.· With that came a real sense of enthusiasm and excitement.· She was different, well informed and, still more attractive, she had a real enthusiasm for the idea of marketing.· The weekend feasts hosted at our apartment were events I looked forward to with real enthusiasm.· I sensed real enthusiasm and empowerment among some of the fundholders and discovered tangible improvements in patient care.· At one point, Roker works up some real enthusiasm for a minus-19-degree weather record in Great Britain.
· For most purposes a rectangular distribution is the most desirable because it provides the appropriate mix of youthful enthusiasm and ageing experience.· From time to time the main Party had to intervene to help out the youngsters or to curb their youthful enthusiasms.· At present their sound has more to do with youthful enthusiasm than finesse.· The outdated expression, plus his look of youthful enthusiasm, reminded Cassie briefly of stories she had read as a child.· She had to the last a youthful enthusiasm, an erect carriage, and a firm step.
VERB· But the defeat did not dampen the enthusiasm of the Biarritz folk.· However, in a quiet way he probably did much to dampen ill-judged enthusiasm for Habbakuk.
· Tarses said Thursday that producers have expressed enthusiasm about including skits in all prime-time shows on the subject during the month.· The actor was a little more obscure about expressing his enthusiasm for Gingrich.· Everyone at Corinth expressed enthusiasm about the improved harmony and responsiveness in that arrangement.
· Yesterday had been the group's first taste of real sunshine and comparative warmth and it had fired their enthusiasm.· I loved him, and he really fired my enthusiasm for history.· Many of the adolescents are fired with an inherent enthusiasm for education that they seek still more when they attain their majority.· There are live presentations, to fire the enthusiasm of the thousands of schoolchildren who visit every morning throughout the year.· And our gallant lads, fired with the wild enthusiasm of the moment, madly push up the hill.· I left the University fired with enthusiasm to go to live in Moscow to practise the language.· It was not only her matching handbag and high-heeled shoes which fired my enthusiasm.
· Doyle talked with the fervour of a preacher and generated enough enthusiasm to fuel 10 teams.· Some researchers feel it is important to let others generate enthusiasm for their ideas so that they remain aloof and objective.· David Douglas wanted to generate the same enthusiasm and rigor in its other career clusters.
· Later on, backstage, I am greeted with enthusiasm, as if I were a long-lost friend or something.· He was greeted with ambivalent enthusiasm.· He bounced ideas off colleagues everywhere he went, and they were greeted with enthusiasm.· The President made a rum effort at greeting her news with enthusiasm, but I could see he was crestfallen.· It was a long document which took about forty minutes to read and it was not greeted with warm enthusiasm.· Like all new schemes or revisions of old ones, this New Scheme was greeted with enthusiasm.· X-rays were greeted with uncritical enthusiasm.
· Subsequently, barbel fishing went through a slack period when interest was lost through an increased enthusiasm for game fishing.· If the target time is protracted the operative may have difficulty in pacing and measuring output, and lose enthusiasm.· Enthusiasm is closely linked with interest, for it is only when things cease to interest us that we lose enthusiasm.· He had lost most of his enthusiasm for the idea by now.· It seemed that the police, in Leipzig at least, had lost their enthusiasm for beating up citizens pressing for change.
· Not every-one shared our enthusiasm for Sheldrake's proposition.· And students, too, do not seem to share Diamandopoulos' enthusiasm.· Moscow's political elite does not share the popular enthusiasm for Putin.· That he shares her enthusiasm for women and their struggle for equality reassures.· See if you can find a vet who shares your enthusiasm.· On the Glomar Challenger, and back on shore, Hall met others who shared his enthusiasm for the ocean floor.· The researcher could share enthusiasms, be a shoulder to cry on and help brainstorm alternatives.· I do not share your enthusiasm for trickle filters.
· Yet when interest rates fall, as they have done recently, they rarely show the same enthusiasm for cutting their rates.· Always show a great enthusiasm, which inspires interest, because nobody wants to miss out on a good time. 5.· Secondly, the notes show Marx's enthusiasm for the work of Morgan.· It says here that you failed to show any sort of enthusiasm in the leadership drills.· Mr Delors and his colleagues did show guarded enthusiasm for the proposal.· Even Mme Guérigny showed some enthusiasm for work that would take Jean-Claude back to his roots.· Not for the first time, the legate had shown more enthusiasm for papal power than the pope.· She had certainly taken pains over her dinner party and Hywel had equally certainly shown no enthusiasm for it.
WORD FAMILYnounenthusiasmenthusiastadjectiveenthusiastic ≠ unenthusiasticverbenthuseadverbenthusiastically ≠ unenthusiastically
1[uncountable] a strong feeling of interest and enjoyment about something and an eagerness to be involved in it: Gillian and Darren greeted the speakers with great enthusiasm. We went along to the local diving club, full of enthusiasm. They go about their tasks with little enthusiasm.enthusiasm for Britain’s apparent lack of enthusiasm for such a scheme Employers showed little enthusiasm for the new regulations. He shares your enthusiasm for jazz. I left university fired with enthusiasm for work. A delay of two hours did not dampen their enthusiasm.2[countable] formal an activity or subject that someone is very interested inCOLLOCATIONSverbshave enthusiasm· He never had much enthusiasm for work.show enthusiasm· The younger children showed little enthusiasm for the game.lose (your) enthusiasm· The diet started well, but I lost enthusiasm after a while.arouse/generate enthusiasm formal (=make people feel enthusiastic)· The changes to the timetable failed to arouse enthusiasm amongst the staff.dampen somebody’s enthusiasm (=cause people to be unenthusiastic)· The rain had dampened our enthusiasm.share somebody’s enthusiasm· I’m afraid I don’t share my husband’s enthusiasm for camping.fire somebody’s enthusiasm (=make someone feel very enthusiastic)· At high school, Mr Jones really fired my enthusiasm for history.adjectivesinfectious (=spreading from one person to another)· Her enthusiasm was infectious.great/much/considerable enthusiasm· There was considerable enthusiasm for the idea of a party.enormous/tremendous enthusiasm· He always plays with tremendous enthusiasm.genuine/real enthusiasm· She talked about the project with genuine enthusiasm.boundless/unbounded enthusiasm formal (=very great)· I’d like to thank the design team for their boundless enthusiasm.little enthusiasm (=not much enthusiasm)· In the nearby villages, there’s little enthusiasm for the airport.initial enthusiasm (=happening at the beginning, but not lasting)· After a few months, their initial enthusiasm had started to wane.renewed enthusiasm (=starting again, with increased energy or interest)· After lunch, she went about the task with renewed enthusiasm.youthful enthusiasm (=enthusiasm that is typical of young people)· The team has just the right mix of youthful enthusiasm and experience.phraseswith/without enthusiasm· The proposal has been greeted with enthusiasm by both parties.(be) full of enthusiasm (=very enthusiastic)· He entered politics full of enthusiasm, but that gradually disappeared.be brimming/bursting/bubbling with enthusiasm (=be very excited and enthusiastic)· Andrea’s voice was brimming with enthusiasm when she told John her plans.be fired (up) with enthusiasm (=be very enthusiastic and keen to do something)· She came back from the course fired up with enthusiasm.a wave/burst/surge of enthusiasm (=a sudden feeling of enthusiasm)· The new year began with a fresh wave of enthusiasm.a lack of enthusiasm· My lack of enthusiasm for his suggestion made him angry.