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Glite Dictionary
contagious enthusiasm

contagious enthusiasm

3.8
Strong excitement that makes other people feel excited too
  • noun
translation icon : entusiasmo contagioso
  • Her contagious enthusiasm for the new volunteer program encouraged many to sign up and help out.

Examples

  • His knowledge and contagious enthusiasm actually made me appreciate Shakespeare's abstruse phraseology.

  • The literature suggests that competent leaders are always bright, seem to seek responsibility and authority, display skills at whatever they are "leading" in, seem to display a contagious enthusiasm, are always perceived to possess a tremendous capacity for hard work, and have a great sense of humor most of the time.

    Academic text (1995)

  • David's contagious enthusiasm, genuine passion, and solid mastery of the topic made this an enjoyable, engaging experience.

    Blog text (14)

  • Let's just say that I think Darabont has a contagious enthusiasm for Lucas's properties and an innate talent for adapting the works of others.

    Blog text (22)

  • David's contagious enthusiasm inspired everyone in the group to participate actively in the project.

  • The teacher's contagious enthusiasm for science made her students excited about learning.

Synonyms

infectious energy
vscontagious enthusiasm
3.9

Strong, happy feeling that makes other people excited

is more about inspiring interest and commitment than showing raw physical vitality
infectious joy
vscontagious enthusiasm
4.4

A strong happiness that spreads to others and makes them smile

is about inspiring action or interest rather than simple shared happiness

Antonyms

uninspiring
7 3.5

Not interesting or exciting

How Contagious

contagious enthusiasm
3.8

Surface Forms

contagious enthusiasm singular
contagious enthusiasms plural

Morphology

contagious + enthusiasm

The phrase is compositionally built: 'contagious' (able to be spread) modifies 'enthusiasm' (excitement), so a learner who knows both words can infer 'enthusiasm that spreads to others.' This adjective–noun pattern is common cross-linguistically and follows ordinary English composition, making the meaning immediately transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

The phrase contagious enthusiasm gives a simple picture: contagious is like a sickness that spreads and enthusiasm is strong excitement, so it feels as if excitement moves from one person to another. That's why it means 'enthusiasm that easily spreads and inspires others'.