Dictionary
fanatic
adjective fa·nat·ic \fə-ˈna-tik\
Definition of FANATIC
: marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion <they're fanatic about politics>
— fanatic noun
— fa·nat·i·cal·ly \fə-ˈna-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
— fa·nat·i·cal·ness \-kəl-nəs\ noun
See fanatic defined for kids Variants of FANATIC
fa·nat·ic or fa·nat·i·cal \-ti-kəl\
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Origin of FANATIC
Latin fanaticus inspired by a deity, frenzied, from fanum temple — more at feast
First Known Use: 1550
Related to FANATIC
- Synonyms
- extremist, extreme (or fanatical), rabid, radical, revolutionary, revolutionist, ultra
Rhymes with FANATIC
agnatic, aquatic, asthmatic, Carnatic, chromatic, climatic, comatic, dalmatic, dogmatic, dramatic, ecstatic, emphatic, erratic, eustatic, hepatic, judgmatic, komatik, lymphatic, magmatic, neumatic, phlegmatic, plasmatic, pneumatic, pragmatic, prismatic, protatic, quadratic, rheumatic, schematic, schismatic, sciatic, Socratic, somatic, spermatic, stigmatic, sylvatic, thematic, traumatic, villatic
FANATIC Defined for Kids
1fanatic
adjective fa·nat·ic \fə-ˈna-tik\
Definition of FANATIC for Kids
: very or overly enthusiastic or devoted <a fanatic supporter>
Word History of FANATIC
In Latin the adjective fanaticus, a derivative of fanum, “temple,” meant literally “of a temple,” though the more common sense was “inspired by a god” or “frenzied.” The word was borrowed into English as fanatic in the 1500s with this sense. In the following century the word was applied to members of certain Protestant groups who argued for their beliefs—in the view of most people—with excessive enthusiasm, acting as if they were divinely inspired. Eventually, fanatic was applied to anyone who showed extreme devotion to a cause.
2fanatic
noun
Definition of FANATIC for Kids
: a very enthusiastic supporter or admirer
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