enthuse
gb/ɪnθˈuz/ us/ɪnθˈuz/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
C1
action
1
talk excitedly about something
to talk about something in a very excited, positive way
Usage pattern:
enthuse (about/over) [something]; enthuse to [someone] about [something]
Common mistake:
Don’t use it to mean just 'think' or 'say'; it suggests strong positive excitement.
Synonyms
rave (More informal; often stronger praise.)
|
gush (Suggests excessive or emotional enthusiasm.)
|
wax lyrical (More literary; suggests elaborate praise.)
Antonyms
complain (Expresses negative feelings instead of praise.)
|
criticize (Focuses on faults rather than excitement.)
Collocations
enthuse about the project
|enthuse about the plans
|enthuse over the results
|enthuse over the new design
|enthuse about the benefits
|enthuse to reporters
|enthuse to friends
|enthuse about a book
|enthuse about a new restaurant
|enthuse about the future
Themes
communication
|emotions
|opinions
Examples
- She enthused about the course and told everyone to sign up.
- The chef enthused over the fresh ingredients at the market.
- He enthused to reporters about the team’s progress.
Learner examples
- He enthused about his new job.
- They enthused over the concert.
Verb
C1
action
2
make someone feel enthusiastic
to make someone excited and interested
Usage pattern:
[something] enthuses [someone]; enthuse [someone] about [something]
Common mistake:
This transitive use is less common than 'enthuse about/over' and can sound awkward in some styles; 'excite' or 'inspire' is often safer.
Synonyms
excite (More common and neutral.)
|
inspire (Often implies deeper motivation or purpose.)
|
energize (Emphasizes increased energy rather than interest.)
Antonyms
bore (Makes someone lose interest instead of gaining it.)
|
discourage (Reduces motivation or confidence.)
Collocations
enthuse the audience
|enthuse the team
|enthuse supporters
|enthuse voters
|enthuse students
|enthuse staff
|enthuse customers
|enthuse people about the idea
Themes
emotions
|motivation
|work
Examples
- The speaker’s confidence enthused the audience.
- It takes more than flashy graphics to enthuse users.
- The new policy failed to enthuse staff.
Learner examples
- The coach enthused the players.
Verb
C1
action
3
show strong enthusiasm
to act and sound very excited
Usage pattern:
enthuse (at/in/over) [something]; enthuse
Common mistake:
In real usage, speakers often add 'about' or 'over' to say what they are excited about.
Synonyms
exclaim (Focuses on a sudden emotional remark, not ongoing excitement.)
|
bubble over (More idiomatic; emphasizes overflowing excitement.)
Antonyms
shrug (Shows indifference instead of enthusiasm.)
|
stay quiet (Does not express excitement at all.)
Collocations
enthuse loudly
|enthuse warmly
|enthuse endlessly
|enthuse in interviews
|enthuse during the presentation
Themes
emotions
|communication
Examples
- He enthused for a few minutes, then moved on to practical details.
- The guide enthused as the group approached the viewpoint.
- She listened politely while he enthused.
Learner examples
- She enthused when she heard the news.
Grammar
Dictionary form
enthuse
IPA
GB/ɪnθˈuz/
US/ɪnθˈuz/
Syllables & stress
en - thuse (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (thuse)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: enthuse
- 3rd Person Singular: enthuses
- Present Participle: enthusing
- Past: enthused
Word family
Forms
enthuses
verb
enthusing
verb
enthused
verb
Core family
Related words
enthusiast
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unenthusiastic
adjective C1
unenthusiastically
adverb
Advanced or less common
overenthusiastic
adjective
Expressions
be enthused about
1/bˈi ɪnθˈuzd əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
feel excited about something
to feel excited and interested in something
Examples
- I’m really enthused about the new role.
- Investors were not enthused about the latest results.
- She seems enthused about the idea of moving.
be enthused by
1/bˈi ɪnθˈuzd bˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
feel excited because of something
to feel excited because of something
Examples
- The class was enthused by the hands-on experiments.
- She wasn’t enthused by the first episode, but she kept watching.
- They were enthused by the response from customers.
get enthused
1/ɡˈɛt ɪnθˈuzd/
fixed phrase
informal
become excited and interested
to start feeling excited about something
Examples
- It took a while, but I got enthused about the idea.
- Once the demo started, the whole room got enthused.
- She couldn’t really get enthused about the plan.