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avid

adjective
av·​id | \ ˈa-vəd How to pronounce avid (audio) \

Definition of avid

1 : characterized by enthusiasm and vigorous pursuit : very eager and enthusiastic avid readers/fans an avid golfer
2 : desirous to the point of greed : urgently eager : greedy avid for publicity/success
Other Words from avid Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym The Finer Points of Avid More Example Sentences Learn More about avid

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Other Words from avid

avidly adverb
avidness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for avid

eager, avid, keen, anxious, athirst mean moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest. eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint. eager to get started avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed. avid for new thrills keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action. keen on the latest fashions anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment. anxious not to make a social blunder athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action. athirst for adventure

The Finer Points of Avid

The original and now relatively unfamiliar sense of avid, “desirous to the point of greed,” developed logically from its root in Latin, avēre (meaning “to long for”). It appears in such phrases as “avid of fame” and “avid for details,” expressions we are more likely to encounter in formal writing than in speech. More common today is the word’s somewhat weakened and ameliorated (that is, “made better,” or given a more positive connotation) meaning “extremely enthusiastic.” This is the sense regularly used of people who have embraced some hobby or pursuit (such as avid readers, gardeners, or knitters).

Examples of avid in a Sentence

He is an avid admirer of horror movies. They took an avid interest in politics. some of the newspaper's most avid readers
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Even a former avid booster of the rail plan, Quentin Kopp (an ex-state lawmaker, ex-San Mateo County judge and one-time chairman of the state’s High-Speed Rail Authority Board), has argued strongly against it. — John Horgan, The Mercury News, "Horgan: High-speed hijinks: Is it bait and switch?," 11 Sep. 2019 Many avid and longtime divers across the state have dived off the Conception and swear by Truth Aquatics’ safety measures and professionalism. — Gregory Thomas, SFChronicle.com, "After fire, divers worry that burst of regulations will restrain free-spirited sport," 10 Sep. 2019 Safety sound also draws migratory birds, and avid bird spotters. — Marc Lester, Anchorage Daily News, "Photo: Nome-Council Road provides a glimpse of Norton Sound’s rugged coastline and colorful history," 10 Sep. 2019 Kene is an avid photographer, fluent in Spanish, and enjoys performing live music. — National Geographic, "Expedition Leaders," 10 Sep. 2019 The billionaire and avid sailor was the son of Roy Oliver Disney, co-founder of the Walt Disney Co. — Los Angeles Times, "Disney home on Toluca Lake waterfront lands a buyer," 9 Sep. 2019 The couple, who lived in Berkeley, were avid divers and underwater photographers who went on trips around the world, the paper reported. — Washington Post, "2 Singaporeans among California boat fire victims," 8 Sep. 2019 The shoes officially go on sale to the public at Xhibition on Sunday morning, but through the SNKRS app, avid shoe collectors were able to sign up for a presale option. — Anne Nickoloff, cleveland.com, "Fans taken behind-the-scenes at Browns stadium for surprise Odell Beckham Jr. sneaker launch event," 7 Sep. 2019 The pair were avid divers and underwater photographers who went on trips around the world, the paper reported. — CBS News, "What we know about the California boat fire victims," 6 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'avid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of avid

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for avid

French or Latin; French avide, from Latin avidus, from avēre to desire, crave; akin to Welsh ewyllys desire, Old Irish con-oí he protects

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More Definitions for avid

avid

adjective
How to pronounce avid (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of avid

: very eager
: wanting something very much

See the full definition for avid in the English Language Learners Dictionary

avid

adjective
av·​id | \ ˈa-vəd How to pronounce avid (audio) \

Kids Definition of avid

: very eager an avid football fan

Other Words from avid

avidly adverb

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