Simple Definition of avid
: very eager
: wanting something very much
Full Definition of avid
1 : desirous to the point of greed : urgently eager : greedy <avid for publicity>
2 : characterized by enthusiasm and vigorous pursuit <avid readers>
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
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).
Origin of 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
First Known Use: 1769
Synonym Discussion of avid
Rhymes with avid
AVID Defined for Kids
Definition of avid for Students
: very eager <an avid football fan>
Seen and Heard
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