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Enthusiasm vs Excitement - What's the difference?

enthusiasm | excitement |

As nouns the difference between enthusiasm and excitement

is that enthusiasm is possession by a god; divine inspiration or frenzy while excitement is the state of being excited (emotionally aroused).

enthusiasm

Noun

  • (obsolete, or, historical) Possession by a god; divine inspiration or frenzy.
  • * 1946 , Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy , ch. 1
  • The intoxication that they sought was that of ‘enthusiasm ’, of union with the god.
  • Intensity of feeling; excited interest or eagerness.
  • Something in which one is keenly interested.
  • * 1968 , Central States Archaeological Journal (volumes 15-16, page 154)
  • My main enthusiasm is attending and seeing the progress and interest of collectors, to meet old friends, and hopefully to make new friends.
  • * 2012 , Nicholas Joll, Philosophy and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (page 23)
  • Other Adamsian enthusiasms included: fast cars; restaurants; Bach, the Beatles, Pink Floyd and Dire Straits;

    excitement

    English

    Noun

  • (uncountable) the state of being excited (emotionally aroused).
  • * E.A. Poe, '' The unparalelled adventure of one Hans Pfaal':
  • By late accounts from Rotterdam, that city seems to be in a high state of philosophical excitement .
  • (countable) something that excites.