Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):
   • To express or show strong excitement, eagerness, or approval about something.
2. Verb (transitive):
   • To make someone feel or become enthusiastic; to inspire with enthusiasm.

Usage

• Intransitive Verb (to show enthusiasm): Used when a person speaks or acts with great passion about a topic.
• Transitive Verb (to inspire enthusiasm): Used when a person or thing causes others to feel excited or eager.

Examples

• Intransitive Verb:
  • She enthused about her recent trip to Japan for an hour.
  • The fans enthused over the band's surprise performance.
• Transitive Verb:
  • His passionate speech enthused the entire audience.
  • The new manager's vision enthused the team about the project.

Advanced Usage

• "to enthuse over/about": A common prepositional phrase used with the intransitive form to specify the object of the enthusiasm.
  • He always enthuses over the latest technological gadgets.
• The verb is often used in informal or journalistic contexts to report speech or reactions vividly.

Variants and Related Words

• Enthusiasm (n): A feeling of energetic interest in a particular subject or activity and an eagerness to be involved in it.
  • Her enthusiasm for learning is contagious.
• Enthusiastic (adj): Having or showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.
  • He received an enthusiastic response from the crowd.
• Enthusiast (n): A person who is very interested in and involved with a particular subject or activity.
  • She is a real photography enthusiast.

Synonyms

• Rave (v): To talk or write about something with great enthusiasm, often in an exaggerated way.
• Gush (v): To express a positive feeling, especially praise, in a very enthusiastic way.
• Excite (v): To cause strong feelings of enthusiasm and eagerness in someone.

Notes on Usage

• While standard, some traditionalists consider "enthuse" (especially as a transitive verb) to be an informal back-formation from "enthusiasm." It is, however, widely accepted in modern English usage.
• It is more commonly used in its intransitive form ("enthuse about/over") than its transitive form.

Verb

1. utter with enthusiasm
2. cause to feel enthusiasm