Dictionary
enthuse
verb en·thuse \in-ˈthüz, en-, also -ˈthyüz\
: to say (something) with enthusiasm
: to show enthusiasm : to talk about something with enthusiasm
: to make (someone) enthusiastic
en·thuseden·thus·ing
Full Definition of ENTHUSE
transitive verb
1
: to make enthusiastic <is enthused about the project>
2
: to express with enthusiasm
intransitive verb
: to show enthusiasm <a splendid performance, and I was enthusing over it — Julian Huxley>
See enthuse defined for English-language learners
See enthuse defined for kids
Usage Discussion of ENTHUSE
Enthuse is apparently American in origin, although the earliest known example of its use occurs in a letter written in 1827 by a young Scotsman who spent about two years in the Pacific Northwest. It has been disapproved since about 1870. Current evidence shows it to be flourishing nonetheless on both sides of the Atlantic especially in journalistic prose.
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of ENTHUSE
back-formation from enthusiasm
First Known Use: 1827
Rhymes with ENTHUSE
abuse, accuse, amuse, Andrews, bad news, bemuse, berceuse, chanteuse, charmeuse, chartreuse, coiffeuse, confuse, contuse, danseuse, defuse, diffuse, diseuse, disuse, effuse, excuse, ill-use, incuse, infuse, masseuse, misuse, perfuse, peruse, recluse, recuse, refuse, reuse, short fuse, suffuse, Toulouse, transfuse, vendeuse
Learn More About ENTHUSE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: enthusiasmPrevious Word in the Dictionary: enthronizeAll Words Near: enthuse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up enthuse? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).