5 syllables: En, thu, si, as, tic. Stress on as.
in-thoo-zee-AS-tik
/ɪˌnθuziˈæstɪk/
Enthusiastic is pronounced in-thoo-zee-AS-tik (/ɪˌnθuziˈæstɪk/). It has five syllables (En-thu-si-as-tic), with the stress on "as". Enthusiastic describes showing intense interest, energy, and eagerness about something. It conveys lively, passionate engagement and a proactive attitude, often accompanied by positive body language and sustained vocal energy. This adjective denotes strong emotional commitment, more than casual excitement, and is commonly used to describe reactions, crowds, or individuals who are visibly motivated.
adjectiveEnthusiastic describes showing intense interest, energy, and eagerness about something. It conveys lively, passionate engagement and a proactive attitude, often accompanied by positive body language and sustained vocal energy. This adjective denotes strong emotional commitment, more than casual excitement, and is commonly used to describe reactions, crowds, or individuals who are visibly motivated.
"The crowd was enthusiastic about the surprise performance."
"She gave an enthusiastic speech that energized the room."
"His enthusiastic support helped the team push through the final minutes."
Break it as en-THOO-zee-AS-tik. IPA US: /ɛnˌθuːziˈæs.tɪk/; UK: /ənˈθuːziˌæs.tɪk/. Stress lands on the third syllable (-as-). Start with /ɛn/ or /ən/ before the /θ/ fricative; the second syllable is a long /uː/ after /θ/, then /zi/ as a light /zi/; the final -tic sounds like /tɪk/. Mouth position for /θ/ is tongue between teeth, for /uː/ rounded lip, for /z/ voiced, and for /æ/ opener before /tɪk/. Audio reference: you can check standard pronunciations on Cambridge or Forvo for this exact word.
Common errors: (1) misplacing the stress on the first syllable as en-; (2) pronouncing /θ/ as /s/ or /t/ causing an extra lisp; (3) reducing /æ/ to /ə/ or dropping the /t/ sound at the end. Correction: keep /θ/ voiceless dental fricative, ensure the /uː/ is a tense vowel, make the final /t/ clear but light, and maintain four-syllable rhythm with the secondary stress on -si-.
US: /ɛnˌθuːziˈæs.tɪk/ with pronounced /θ/ and clear /ɪ/ in -tɪk. UK: /ənˈθuːziˌæs.tɪk/ with lengthier /ə/ in initial syllable and slightly lighter secondary stress. AU: similar to UK but with a more clipped /ə/ in initial syllable and stronger intonation on the main stress. Overall, rhoticity is not relevant for these forms; the /θ/ is consistent across accents, and /uː/ remains tense.
Because of the combination of the voiceless dental fricative /θ/, the long tense vowel /uː/ after the /θ/, and the semantically light /æ/ in -æs- holding a short /t/ after, with four-syllable rhythm. The consonant cluster transitions require precise tongue placement, and the word’s stress pattern (secondary stress on -si-) disrupts natural pacing for non-native speakers. Practice by isolating /θuː/ and then blending into /æstɪk/ with even timing.
Enthusiastic ends with -astic, not -ast-ic like similar-looking words. Remember the suffix -asi- sounds as /ziˌæs/ with a quick, light /z/ then /i/ and /æ/. Visualize saying four distinct beats and keep /θ/ precise at the start. A good cue is to practice with the phrase ‘enthusiastic about learning’ to align intonation and rhythm.
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- US: rhoticity not essential here; focus on American /r/ absence; maintain clear /θ/ and long /uː/; - UK: longer initial schwa and slightly more staccato final syllable; - AU: more clipped overall vowel quality and slightly stronger final syllable stress. Vowels: /ɪ/ vs /ɪ/ should be compact; /æ/ in -æs- should be open. Consonants: /θ/ remains unvoiced; /z/ is voiced; /t/ is a clear stop. IPA: US /ɛnˌθuːziˈæs.tɪk/, UK /ənˈθuːziˌæs.tɪk/, AU /ɪnˈθuːziˌæs.tɪk/.
Enthusiastic comes from the Greek word enthusiasm, meaning divine inspiration or possession by a god. The root enthusia- derives from en- (in, within) and theos (god), suggesting being inspired or possessed by a god. In early English, enthusiasm referred to an ecstatic religious fervor and possession by inspiration. By the 17th–18th centuries, English usage broadened to describe intense interest or devotion to any subject. The modern sense—excited, energetic, or eager—emerged in the 19th century, especially in educational and social contexts where individuals show vigorous support or fervent participation. The word has retained its positive nuance, though occasional hyperbolic use may imply excessive zeal. First known use in English citations appears in the 18th century, but the concept traces back to classical Greek philosophy and rhetoric about meteoric inspiration and virtuous ardor.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Enthusiastic" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Enthusiastic"
-ous sounds
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