fanboy
Overly passionate devotee
A fanboy is a male devotee of some entertainment property—a video game franchise, comic book universe, film series, or tech brand—whose enthusiasm others find excessive or uncritical.
The term carries dismissive connotations, suggesting someone who defends their obsession against all criticism: The fanboys are already attacking anyone who gave the movie a bad review.
Fangirl is the female equivalent, though fanboy sometimes applies regardless of gender.
Extreme reverent admiration
- worshipReligious reverence and praise
- hero-worshipUncritical excessive admiration
- adorationProfound loving regard
- venerationProfound admiring respect
stanning · fangirling · superfan · diehard · groupie · acolyte · disciple · follower
Loyalty owed to authority
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
- faithfulnessDevoted loyalty maintained
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
steadfastness · ride-or-die · defender · apologist · stan · truther · purist · originalist
Persistent mental attachment
- infatuationShort-lived intense attraction
- maniaIntense, consuming obsession
- fervorIntense emotional intensity
- fanaticismObsessive, unreasoning dedication
geekery · collectibles · memorabilia · completionist · shrine · pilgrimage · encyclopedic · gatekeeping
idolization
Extreme reverent admiration
- worshipReligious reverence and praise
- hero-worshipUncritical excessive admiration
- adorationProfound loving regard
veneration · stanning · fangirling · superfan · diehard · groupie · acolyte · disciple · follower · stan
allegiance
Loyalty owed to authority
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
- faithfulnessDevoted loyalty maintained
commitment · steadfastness · ride-or-die · defender · apologist · stan · truther · purist · originalist · nostalgic
fixation
Persistent mental attachment
- infatuationShort-lived intense attraction
- maniaIntense, consuming obsession
- fervorIntense emotional intensity
fanaticism · geekery · collectibles · memorabilia · completionist · shrine · pilgrimage · encyclopedic · gatekeeping · headcanon
fervent
Intensely and sincerely felt
- ardentIntensely enthusiastic or devoted
- passionateIntensely emotional or enthusiastic
- avidIntensely enthusiastic
rabid · fanatical · zealous · diehard · hardcore · unwavering · devoted · fiery · fierce · relentless
geek
Obsessive enthusiast
- nerdBrainy social misfit
- cosplayDressing as media characters
- conventionAgreed standard of behavior
comics · gamer · anime · manga · superhero · fanfic · fanart · shipping · merchandise · con
fanboycasual viewer
Uncommitted audience member
casual fan · normie · non-fan · casual observer · dabbler