French word

fanatique

Pronunciation

IPA/fanatik/

Meaning

  • adjectivepassionate

Example

Il est fanatique de football.

He is passionate about soccer.

Illustration for fanatique (passionate)

More examples

Elle est fanatique de musique pop.

She is fanatical about pop music.

Core concept

A fervent attachment that becomes so extreme that reason and tolerance give way.

Common phrases

  • être fanatique de football

    be fanatical about soccer

  • être fanatique de musique

    be fanatical about music

  • attitude fanatique

    fanatical attitude

Similar words

passionné: Showing strong interest or affection and becoming deeply absorbed in something.
excessif: Going beyond what is normal or reasonable in degree.
obsédé: Unable to stop thinking about a particular thing.
intolérant: Unwilling to accept or respect differences in other people.

Definition in French

Qui manifeste une passion ou une ferveur exagérée pour une idée, une activité ou une personne, souvent au détriment de la raison ou de la tolérance.

Word origin

French fanatique comes from Latin fanaticus, related to fanum, meaning temple, and its early religious sense broadened to excessive zeal.

Usage tips

  • Fanatique often carries criticism or disapproval, while passionné can describe strong enthusiasm without implying loss of balance.

Other meanings

  • fanaticaladjective
  • fanaticnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • fanatismefanaticismnoun
  • fanatiquementfanaticallyadverb

Word lists with this word