Word
fanatical
Phoneticsfa·nat·i·cal
US/fəˈnætɪkəɫ/
UK/fɐnˈætɪkəl/
Definition
adj. having an extreme and sometimes dangerous level of interest or enthusiasm for something. You use this to describe someone who cares about a topic or hobby much more than a normal person would.
adj. characterised by excessive enthusiasm or uncritical devotion to a cause, hobby, or belief system. Often carries a negative connotation of irrationality or obsession.
Examples
“He is a fanatical supporter of the local football team.”
“Her fanatical attention to detail made her a great editor, but it also made her very difficult to work with.”
“The movement was driven by a fanatical commitment to its founding principles, often ignoring practical realities in favor of ideological purity.”
Examples
simple
“He is a fanatical supporter of the local football team.”
contextual
“Her fanatical attention to detail made her a great editor, but it also made her very difficult to work with.”
complex
“The movement was driven by a fanatical commitment to its founding principles, often ignoring practical realities in favor of ideological purity.”
Usage
Can be used both attributively before a noun and predicatively after a linking verb like 'be' or 'become'.
Real-World Examples
“He struck me then as fanatical, dangerously so.” “If he were British, he would be fanatical about free jazz, or some obscure Delta bluesman.”