enthusiasm
enthusiasm — noun
1. the excited, positive feeling you have when you are very interested in something
the excited, positive feeling you have when you are very interested in something and want to get involved with it or learn more about it
Rodrigo showed great enthusiasm for the school's new music program.
show + enthusiasm + for [specific activity]
Nkechi's enthusiasm for learning Turkish was contagious among her classmates.
enthusiasm + for + gerund (learning)
The research team's enthusiasm began to fade after months of unsuccessful experiments.
Vivek spoke with obvious enthusiasm about his plans to open a bookstore.
There was genuine enthusiasm in the room when Mizuki announced the winner.
- passion
stronger and more emotional; suggests a deep, lasting attachment rather than temporary excitement
- eagerness
focuses on the desire to begin or participate; less intense than enthusiasm
- zeal
more formal and intense; often used in religious, political, or ideological contexts
- excitement
more general and less sustained; can be a short-term reaction to news or events
- apathy
complete lack of interest or emotion
- indifference
not caring one way or the other
文法句型
enthusiasm + for + noun/gerund
enthusiasm + about + noun
show/demonstrate + enthusiasm
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense — you cannot say 'an enthusiasm' when referring to the feeling itself. Commonly paired with 'for' + noun or gerund ('enthusiasm for jazz', 'enthusiasm for cooking'). 'About' is also possible but less frequent.
常見錯誤
2. a particular thing — such as a hobby, sport, or area of study — that you find ve
a particular thing — such as a hobby, sport, or area of study — that you find very interesting and enjoy spending time on
Dewi's latest enthusiasm is learning how to make traditional Indonesian desserts.
possessive + latest enthusiasm — countable, specific interest
Gardening became Erik's greatest enthusiasm after he retired from teaching.
possessive + greatest enthusiasm
Rachel has so many different enthusiasms that she never feels bored on weekends.
Joaquín's main enthusiasm outside work is hiking in the mountains near his home.
文法句型
possessive + enthusiasm/enthusiasms
an enthusiasm + for + noun
X's latest/greatest enthusiasm
用法筆記
Countable in this sense — takes 'an' in the singular ('an enthusiasm') and '-s' in the plural ('enthusiasms'). Often appears with a possessive adjective ('her latest enthusiasm', 'his many enthusiasms'). Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 refers to the thing itself, not the feeling about it.