avidity
/ə'viditi/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. Eagerness or intense enthusiasm: A strong feeling of keen interest, desire, or enthusiasm for something. 2. Keenness or greediness: An intense and sometimes excessive craving or desire.
Usage
Avidity is a formal noun used to describe a powerful, often passionate, eagerness or enthusiasm. It can have a positive connotation of zeal or a slightly negative connotation of greediness, depending on context. It is often followed by the preposition "for."
Examples
- He read the scientific journals with great avidity. (Here, means intense eagerness and interest.)
- The collector's avidity for rare stamps is well known. (Here, means a passionate and keen desire.)
- She attacked the problem with an avidity that surprised her colleagues. (Here, means enthusiastic keenness.)
Advanced Usage
- "with avidity": This is a common adverbial phrase meaning eagerly or greedily.
- The audience listened to the speaker with avidity.
- In scientific contexts, particularly biochemistry, has a specific technical meaning referring to the combined strength of multiple binding interactions.
Variants and Related Words
- Avid (adjective): Having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something.
- He is an avid reader of history books.
- Avidly (adverb): In an extremely eager or interested manner.
- She avidly followed the news of the expedition.
Synonyms
- Eagerness: Keen or enthusiastic desire.
- Enthusiasm: Intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.
- Keenness: The quality of being eager or enthusiastic.
- Ardor: Great enthusiasm or passion.
- Greediness (in certain contexts): An excessive desire for more than is needed.
Antonyms
- Apathy: Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
- Indifference: Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy.
- Reluctance: Unwillingness or disinclination to do something.
Noun
- a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something