# aficionado

/əˌfiʃjəˈnɑˌdoʊ/ (US) · /ɐfˌɪʃənˈɑːdəʊ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aficionado
Updated: 2026-10-08

## Definition

someone who is very interested in a particular subject and knows a lot about it. You use this to describe a person who is more than just a fan; they are an expert or a serious collector.

For teachers: a person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about an activity, subject, or pastime. Borrowed from Spanish, it implies a high degree of connoisseurship or refined taste.

## Examples

- He is a jazz aficionado who owns thousands of records.
- As a coffee aficionado, she travels across the country to visit small roasteries and sample rare beans.
- The gallery opening attracted every local art aficionado, each eager to debate the merits of the new installation over glasses of wine.

## Synonyms

enthusiast, connoisseur, devotee, Buff

## Antonyms

novice, beginner, Layman

## Usage notes

- Often followed by the preposition 'of' to specify the area of interest.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.