Fanatic Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of FANATIC

[count]

1

:

a person who is very enthusiastic about something

• I became a boating fanatic.

2

disapproving

:

someone who has extreme ideas about politics, religion, etc.

• a religious fanatic [=_extremist_]

— fanatic

or

fanatical

/fəˈnætɪkəl/

adjective

[more fanatic; most fanatic]

• a fanatic supporter
• fanatical zeal/devotion/loyalty

— often + about

• She's fanatical about her job.
• He is fanatical about boating.

— fanatically

/fəˈnætɪkli/

adverb

• She was fanatically devoted to her job.

— fanaticism

/fəˈnætəˌsɪzəm/

noun

[noncount]

• religious fanaticism