avid

/ˈævɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈævɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈa-vəd/ (ame, mw)

avid — adjective

1. showing strong, lasting passion for a hobby, sport, or subject — used to describ

1.形容詞C1
釋義

showing strong, lasting passion for a hobby, sport, or subject — used to describe someone who pursues that interest often and with great energy.

例句

Aunt Marisol is an avid gardener and spends every weekend in her vegetable patch.

avid + noun naming a hobbyist

The new mayor is an avid reader of detective novels and crime histories.

avid reader of + topic

同義詞
  • keen

    more everyday in British English; 'keen reader' is gentler than 'avid reader'

  • enthusiastic

    broader; can describe a single occasion, while 'avid' implies a long-running passion

  • devoted

    stresses loyalty; 'devoted fan' suggests emotional commitment more than active pursuit

  • passionate

    stronger feeling word; works after 'be about', whereas 'avid' prefers the noun slot

反義詞
  • indifferent

    showing no interest at all

  • casual

    as in 'casual reader' — occasional rather than committed

文法句型

avid + noun (e.g. avid reader, avid fan)

用法筆記

Almost always sits before a noun naming the person and their interest (avid reader, avid cyclist, avid fan). Rarely used after the verb 'be' on its own — say 'She is an avid hiker', not 'She is avid'.

常見錯誤

❌My brother is very avid about football.
✅My brother is an avid football fan.
💡'avid' normally goes before a noun describing the hobbyist, not after 'be' with a preposition.

2. extremely hungry to get hold of something specific, such as news, attention, or

2.形容詞C2
釋義

extremely hungry to get hold of something specific, such as news, attention, or money, sometimes to a degree that seems greedy.

例句

Reporters crowded the courtroom, avid for any new detail about the trial.

avid for + abstract noun (information)

The young actor was avid for praise and read every review out loud.

avid for praise / attention

同義詞
  • eager

    neutral and far more common; lacks the slightly greedy tone

  • hungry

    informal version of the same idea: 'hungry for praise'

  • greedy

    stronger and clearly negative; 'avid for' only hints at greed

  • thirsty

    metaphorical, often poetic: 'thirsty for revenge'

反義詞
  • uninterested

    not wanting the thing at all

  • content

    satisfied with what one already has, not seeking more

文法句型

avid for + noun

用法筆記

This sense always uses the structure 'avid for + noun', whereas sense 1 uses 'avid + noun'. The object of 'for' is usually abstract (news, fame, power, money) and the tone can carry a hint of greed, especially when the object is power or wealth.

常見錯誤

❌The crowd was avid of news.
✅The crowd was avid for news.
💡only the preposition 'for' works in this pattern.