Fetishist: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe someone who has an obsessive interest in a particular object or activity, often with a sexual connotation. It can have a negative or provocative undertone.

• He is a fetishist with a peculiar interest in vinyl records.
• The exhibition attracted many fetishists who are interested in rare antiques.

Appropriate for describing someone who is very dedicated or committed to a particular activity, cause, or person. It often has a spiritual or intellectual connotation.

• As a devotee of classical music, she attends every concerto she can.
• He is a lifelong devotee of Eastern philosophy.

Best used for someone who shows a lot of excitement and interest in a specific subject or activity but without the obsessive or extreme behavior. It carries a generally positive connotation.

• She is a car enthusiast and loves going to auto shows.
• He's a tech enthusiast who always has the latest gadgets.

Describes someone who is extremely passionate about a particular cause, activity, or belief, often to the point of being irrational. It has a strong emotional intensity and can sometimes have a negative or extreme implication.

• She is a fitness fanatic and spends hours at the gym every day.
• The political rally was filled with fanatics who were unwilling to consider other viewpoints.