enthusiast
UK: ɪnˈθjuːziæst | US: ɪnˈθuːziæst
n. a person who is highly interested in or passionate about a particular subject or activity
n. (historical) a person believed to be divinely inspired, especially in early Christian contexts
The word traces back to Greek religious fervor, where enthousiasmos described divine possession (e.g., by Apollo’s oracle). Over time, it secularized to mean intense passion or zeal, especially in hobbies or causes. The suffix -iast evolved to denote practitioners or devotees, preserving the core idea of "being filled with inspiration."
She is a photography enthusiast, always carrying her camera.
The conference attracted tech enthusiasts from around the world.
In ancient Greece, enthusiasts were thought to channel the gods.
As a wine enthusiast, he collects rare vintages.
The car enthusiast restored vintage models in his garage.