Basic Details
Word: Enthusiastic
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Showing great excitement about something and a strong wish to take part in it.
Synonyms: eager, keen, passionate, excited
Antonyms: apathetic, indifferent, unenthusiastic
How to Spell Enthusiastic
Syllables: en - thu - si - as - tic
Tricky part: The th is followed by u, and the middle is -sias-: en-thu-si-as-tic. Enthusiatic, with an s missing, is very common.
Watch out for: enthusiatic, enthousiastic, enthusastic, enthusiastik
Memory tip: Clap out five beats: en-thu-si-as-tic. Each beat has its own vowel, and beats three and four both begin or end with s.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The enthusiastic crowd waved flags all along the route.
Example 2: Rahul is enthusiastic about birdwatching and notes every bird he sees.
Example 3: Our new teacher was so enthusiastic that even fractions felt exciting.
Fun Fact
Enthusiasm comes from the Greek enthousiasmos, which meant being filled with a god; for a long time English used it for wild religious excitement.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct letters to complete the word:
enth_si_st_c
a) o, a, i
b) u, a, i
c) u, a, e
d) u, e, i
Show answer
b) u, a, i. The gaps take u after th, a after si and i before the c: en-thu-si-as-tic.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word enthusiastic as used in the sentence:
The children were enthusiastic about planting saplings along the school wall.
a) eager
b) excited
c) indifferent
d) keen
Show answer
c) indifferent. Eager, keen and excited all show interest; someone indifferent does not care either way.
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word:
1. enthusiatic 2. energetic 3. optimistic 4. sarcastic
a) hopeful about the future
b) full of excitement and interest
c) full of energy and activity
d) saying the opposite of what you mean in order to mock
Show answer
b) full of excitement and interest. Enthusiastic needs an s before the a as well as after it: en-thu-si-as-tic.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. An enthusiastic reader would most likely ____.
a) finish a book in a day
b) hide books away
c) fall asleep reading
d) never open a book
Show answer
a) finish a book in a day
2. If you are enthusiastic about a plan, you are ____.
a) keen on it
b) tired of it
c) unsure of it
d) against it
Show answer
a) keen on it
