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View synonyms for

enthuse

[en-thooz]

verb (used without object)

enthused, enthusing 
  1. to be or become enthusiastic; show enthusiasm.

    All the neighbors enthused over the new baby.



verb (used with object)

enthused, enthusing 
  1. to cause to become enthusiastic.

enthuse

/ ɪˈθː /

verb

  1. to feel or show or cause to feel or show enthusiasm

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage

The verb enthuse is a 19th-century back formation from the noun enthusiasm. Originally an Americanism, enthuse is now standard and well established in the speech and all but the most formal writing of educated persons, in both Britain and the United States. It is used as a transitive verb meaning “to cause to become enthusiastic” ( The liveliness of the dance enthused the audience ) and as an intransitive verb meaning “to show enthusiasm” ( She enthused warmly over his performance ). Despite its long history and frequent occurrence, however, enthuse is still strongly disapproved of by many.
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Other Word Forms

  • quasi-enthused adjective
  • unenthused adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of enthuse1

1820–30, back formation from enthusiasm
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"That was a really, really good thing for us," the businessman enthuses, showing off a production line of glistening metal machines in several rooms.

From

"Harmonising on the Eurovision stage has hardly worked out in the past, but they're spot on," he enthused before the final.

From

To Manchester City's disbelief they now had to put up with a fully enthused Madrid side, who managed to grab a place in the Champions League final thanks to a 95th-minute penalty from Karim Benzema.

From

When they see these live theater effects in front of them, it blows their minds, they’re enthused and want to come back to see more of this sort of thing.

From

But other Republican members of Congress were not so enthused.

From

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enthronemententhusiasm