Definition

Noun: 1. Eagerness or intense enthusiasm: A strong feeling of keen interest, desire, or enthusiasm for something. 2. Keenness or greediness: An intense and sometimes excessive craving or desire.

Usage

Avidity is a formal noun used to describe a powerful, often passionate, eagerness or enthusiasm. It can have a positive connotation of zeal or a slightly negative connotation of greediness, depending on context. It is often followed by the preposition "for."

Examples

• He read the scientific journals with great avidity. (Here, means intense eagerness and interest.)
• The collector's avidity for rare stamps is well known. (Here, means a passionate and keen desire.)
• She attacked the problem with an avidity that surprised her colleagues. (Here, means enthusiastic keenness.)

Advanced Usage

• "with avidity": This is a common adverbial phrase meaning eagerly or greedily.
  • The audience listened to the speaker with avidity.
• In scientific contexts, particularly biochemistry, has a specific technical meaning referring to the combined strength of multiple binding interactions.

Variants and Related Words

• Avid (adjective): Having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something.
  • He is an avid reader of history books.
• Avidly (adverb): In an extremely eager or interested manner.
  • She avidly followed the news of the expedition.

Synonyms

• Eagerness: Keen or enthusiastic desire.
• Enthusiasm: Intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.
• Keenness: The quality of being eager or enthusiastic.
• Ardor: Great enthusiasm or passion.
• Greediness (in certain contexts): An excessive desire for more than is needed.

Antonyms

• Apathy: Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
• Indifference: Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy.
• Reluctance: Unwillingness or disinclination to do something.

Noun

1. a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something