enthusiasm
UK: ɪnˈθjuːziæzəm | US: ɪnˈθuːziæzəm
n. intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval
n. (historical) divine inspiration or possession, as attributed to ancient prophets
enthusiasm = en<in> + thus<god> + iasm<noun suffix>
- en (from Greek en, meaning "in")
- thus (from Greek theos, meaning "god")
- iasm (noun-forming suffix, indicating a state or condition)
Etymology Origin:
The word "enthusiasm" originates from Greek enthousiasmos, meaning "divine inspiration" or "possession by a god." It combines en- ("in") + theos ("god") + -iasmos (a suffix forming nouns of state). Originally, it described prophetic or poetic frenzy attributed to divine influence. Over time, its meaning softened to denote intense passion or zeal, shedding its religious connotation in modern usage.
Her enthusiasm for the project inspired the entire team.
He spoke about his hobby with genuine enthusiasm.
The crowd cheered with enthusiasm as the team scored.
Lack of enthusiasm can hinder progress in any endeavor.
Teachers often use games to spark students' enthusiasm for learning.