enthusiasm
n.-
1 excitement and interest (n.) B1 Intermediatea strong feeling of excitement and interest in an activity or subject.
the quality of being eager and showing strong interest or approval. Uncountable in this general sense.
ExampleThe students showed great enthusiasm for the new science project.
ExampleDespite the initial setbacks, the team maintained their enthusiasm for the project, eventually securing the funding they needed.
PitfallHe has a lot of enthusiasm to his work.He has a lot of enthusiasm for his work.Use the preposition 'for' to show what someone is enthusiastic about.
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2 a hobby or interest (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea specific activity or subject that you are very interested in.
a particular subject or activity that inspires intense interest. Countable in this sense.
ExampleOne of his main enthusiasms is collecting old vinyl records.
ExampleHer academic enthusiasms were varied, ranging from medieval architecture to modern particle physics.
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3 religious frenzy (n.) C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary Religiona historical word for feeling like a god is controlling your mind or spirit.
a historical or literary sense referring to divine inspiration or a state of religious frenzy.
ExampleThe old books described the prophet's speech as a product of divine enthusiasm.
ExampleIn eighteenth-century discourse, the term 'enthusiasm' often carried a negative connotation, suggesting a dangerous and irrational religious delusion.
First attested from 1603, from Middle French enthousiasme, from Late Latin enthusiasmus, from Ancient Greek ἐνθουσιασμός (enthousiasmós), from ἐν (en, “in”) + θεός (theós, “god”) + οὐσία (ousía, “essence”).