ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fanatic

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //fəˈnætɪk// UK //fɐnˈætɪk// fa·nat·ic Archaic

n. someone who has extremely strong beliefs or interests that other people might find too much. You use this for people who are obsessed with a hobby or a religion.

n. a person motivated by excessive enthusiasm and often uncritical devotion, particularly regarding religious or political matters. In modern usage, it frequently describes someone with an intense interest in a specific hobby or pursuit.


SIMPLE

My brother is a real fitness fanatic who works out every day.

CONTEXTUAL

The movie star was followed everywhere by a group of fanatics who had waited hours just to see him.

Synonyms
Origin

First attested in 1525. Learned borrowing from Latin fānāticus (“of a temple, divinely inspired, frenzied”), from fānum (“temple”). Influenced by French fanatique.

Usage

Often used with a modifying noun to specify the area of interest, such as 'sports fanatic' or 'health fanatic'.

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