aficionado

noun

afi·​cio·​na·​do ə-ˌfi-sh(ē-)ə-ˈnä-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce aficionado (audio)
-fē-,
-sē-ə-
variants or less commonly afficionado
plural aficionados also afficionados
: a person who likes, knows about, and appreciates a usually fervently pursued interest or activity : devotee
aficionados of the bullfight
movie aficionados

Did you know?

Before there were nerds, geeks, stans, fanboys, or fangirls, there were aficionados. But not long before, relatively speaking. English borrowed aficionado in the early 1800s directly from Spanish, making a noun out of the past participle of the Spanish verb aficionar, which means "to inspire affection." Nerd, geek, and the rest can sometimes imply that the devotee in question is overdoing their ardor, but aficionado (which traces further back to the same Latin ancestor that gave us the English word affection) is a more neutral descriptor for someone with an abiding and thoughtful devotion to an interest or activity.

Examples of aficionado in a Sentence

Such are the issues that spark hot debate among pizza chefs and aficionados. I recently visited some of the most dedicated pizza makers in the United States to have them demonstrate what makes their pizza special. Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, 30 June 2008
The quality varies with the individual authors, but both history buffs and aficionados of literary criticism will find food for thought here. Publishers Weekly, 8 Jan. 2001
When film aficionados speak of film noir, they usually refer to the look and attitude of certain films. As critics have found, such films do not form a genre; at best, they suggest a movement. Bonnie Smothers, Booklist, 15 Nov. 1999
Beyond scuba diving, North Carolina's Crystal Coast and Cape Lookout are famous for fishing. Although I'm not an aficionado myself, prospective anglers need only walk the docks of Moorehead City to book inshore or Gulf Stream excursions … James Sturz, New York Times, 26 Apr. 1998
an aficionado of the sci-fi series who has seen all the movies several times
Recent Examples on the Web As whisky fans, collectors, and aficionados discovered there were still barrels of Port Ellen whisky hidden away in warehouses around Scotland, the liquid gained in popularity—and increased in price. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024 Jim Gaffigan on being a bourbon aficionado In: Los Angeles Taylor Swift California Nicole Brown Chau Nicole Brown Chau is a senior push and platform editor on CBS News' Growth and Engagement team. Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2024 The article purports that pie aficionados would be willing to travel, on average, 2 hours and 16 minutes to try this mysterious pie. The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024 She’s also become somewhat of a TikTok aficionado, and is open about her love for the platform. Leah Lu, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2024 But Meghan isn't the only aficionado of staple footwear. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024 In its 28th year, the convention brings together artists, vendors and tattoo aficionados for three days of tattooing and informational sessions. Detroit Free Press, 3 Mar. 2024 Two wine aficionados who first met in a New York City wine bar are bringing a wine bar and shop to East Tosa. Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024 Prior to Rebirth’s launch, creative director and zipper aficionado Tetsuya Nomura talked about how the game was designed in part to be welcoming to newcomers (always a commendable goal). Andrew Webster, The Verge, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aficionado.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Spanish aficionado, from past participle of aficionar "to inspire devotion or affection in," verbal derivative of afición "liking, interest," going back to earlier afeción, afección, borrowed from Latin affectiōn-, affectiō "feeling, feeling of attachment" — more at affection

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aficionado was in 1819

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Dictionary Entries Near aficionado

Cite this Entry

“Aficionado.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aficionado. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

aficionado

noun
afi·​cio·​na·​do ə-ˌfish-(ē-)ə-ˈnäd-ō How to pronounce aficionado (audio)
-ˌfis-ē-
plural aficionados
: a person who really likes and appreciates something
an aficionado of Mexican food
science fiction aficionados
Etymology

Spanish, derived from Latin affectio "affection"

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