Is Enthusiastic an Adjective?

Yes, “enthusiastic” is an adjective. It is used to describe someone or something that shows a strong sense of excitement, interest, or enthusiasm about a particular subject or activity.

Grammatical Specification

• Pronunciation: /ɪnˌθjuːziˈæstɪk/ (British English) and /ɪnθuziˈæstɪk/ (American English)
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Derived Forms: Enthusiastically (adverb)
• Synonyms: Keen, earnest, spirited, committed, eager, fervent, zealous, passionate, vehement, fervid, impassioned
• Antonyms: Unenthusiastic, apathetic, indifferent

Examples

• He is enthusiastic about photography.
• They were enthusiastic supporters of the president.
• She received an enthusiastic welcome.
• Film critics are largely enthusiastic about the thriller.

Theoretical Explanation

“Enthusiastic” is an adjective that originates from the Greek word “enthousiastikos,” which is derived from “enthous” meaning “possessed by a god” and “theos” meaning “god.” This etymology reflects the idea that someone who is enthusiastic is deeply inspired and motivated by their interest or passion.

Advanced Hands-on Details

Usage in Sentences

Enthusiastic can be used to describe a person’s attitude towards an activity, a subject, or a situation. For example:

• “He is enthusiastic about his new job.”
• “The audience was wildly enthusiastic about the performance.”
• “The team members were enthusiastic about the project proposal.”
• “She seemed enthusiastic when discussing her research findings.”

Collocations

Enthusiastic often collocates with verbs like “be,” “feel,” “look,” and “seem” to express the level of enthusiasm. For instance:

• “She seems very enthusiastic about the idea.”
• “He was quite enthusiastic about the project.”
• “The students felt enthusiastic about the field trip.”
• “The coach looked enthusiastic during the team’s practice session.”

Idiomatic Expressions

Enthusiastic can be used in idiomatic expressions to emphasize the intensity of the enthusiasm:

• “The audience gave an enthusiastic applause.”
• “The new product received an enthusiastic reception from the customers.”
• “The team’s enthusiastic performance impressed the spectators.”
• “The speaker’s enthusiastic delivery captivated the audience.”

Reference Links

1. Collins Dictionary – Definition of ‘enthusiastic’ in American English
2. Dictionary.com – ENTHUSIASTIC Definition & Meaning
3. Merriam-Webster – Enthusiastic Definition & Meaning
4. Merriam-Webster – ENTHUSIASTIC Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words
5. Oxford Learners Dictionaries – enthusiastic adjective – Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage