aficionado
Say it: uh-fish-ee-uh-NAH-doh /əˌfɪʃəˈnɑːdəʊ/ · noun
What “aficionado” means
Someone who loves a subject and knows lots about it.
More precisely: A person who knows a lot about and loves a particular activity.
Example: “As a coffee aficionado, he weighs his beans every morning.”
When to use it
Use it for an enthusiastic, knowledgeable lover of a hobby or interest. It sounds appreciative and a little polished.
Similar words
enthusiast, connoisseur, devotee
Where it comes from
Spanish, 'amateur, devotee', from aficionar 'to become fond of'.
Quick check
Your friend loves jazz, recognises obscure recordings and happily explains different styles for hours. What would you call them?
an aficionado or a casual listener?
Show the answer
an aficionado
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