passionate

[ pash-uh-nit ]

adjective

1. having, compelled by, or ruled by intense emotion or strong feeling; fervid:

   a passionate advocate of socialism.

   Synonyms: violent, fiery, burning, glowing, earnest, enthusiastic, warm, fervent, excited, impassioned, ardent, impetuous, impulsive, zealous, emotional, excitable

   Antonyms: calm, cool

2. easily aroused to or influenced by sexual desire; ardently sensual.
3. expressing, showing, or marked by intense or strong feeling; emotional:

   passionate language.

   Synonyms: fervent, excited, impassioned, ardent, violent, fiery, burning, glowing, earnest, enthusiastic, warm

   Antonyms: calm, cool

4. intense or vehement, as emotions or feelings:

   passionate grief.

   Synonyms: ardent, violent, fiery, burning, glowing, earnest, enthusiastic, warm, fervent, excited, impassioned

   Antonyms: calm, cool

5. easily moved to anger; quick-tempered; irascible.

   Synonyms: hotheaded, fiery, short-tempered, touchy, choleric, testy

   Antonyms: calm, cool

passionate

/ ˈpæʃənɪt /

adjective

1. manifesting or exhibiting intense sexual feeling or desire

   a passionate lover

2. capable of, revealing, or characterized by intense emotion

   a passionate plea

3. easily roused to anger; quick-tempered

Derived Forms

• ˈpassionately, adverb
• ˈpassionateness, noun

Other Words From

• pas·sion·ate·ly adverb
• pas·sion·ate·ness noun
• non·pas·sion·ate adjective
• non·pas·sion·ate·ness noun
• o·ver·pas·sion·ate adjective
• o·ver·pas·sion·ate·ness noun
• un·pas·sion·ate adjective
• un·pas·sion·ate·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of passionate¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin passiōnātus, equivalent to Late Latin passiōn- passion + Latin -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The hope is that those who feel passionate about the anthem being played will be just as passionate in listening to those who do not feel it represents them.

From Washington Post

“Sundays with Love” quickly became popular, leading to a passionate following but also division that continues on social media.

From Washington Post

I’m super passionate about the impact I think these organizations can have.

From MIT Technology Review

He is a passionate entrepreneur running multiple businesses, marketing agencies, and mentoring programs.

From Search Engine Watch

First, engaging content and media distribution enable us to create a passionate community from Robert’s 100 million followers and to use that audience to access great investments.

From TechCrunch

But Cocker proved to be a survivor, bringing his passionate persona to concert halls around the world decade after decade.

From The Daily Beast

Substance abuse was already an issue Cosby had grown particularly passionate about.

From The Daily Beast

While not the most stimulating for those less passionate about cattle, Grandin made it interesting.

From The Daily Beast

In it, the firebrand Republican senator from Texas is depicted as a kid-friendly “passionate fighter for limited government.”

From The Daily Beast

The opera is a dark and passionate tale of adultery and greed.

From The Daily Beast

A little boy of four was moved to passionate grief at the sight of a dead dog taken from a pond.

From Project Gutenberg

And when wine had unselfed my noble father, you received his passionate insults with forbearance and forgiveness!

From Project Gutenberg

Hence their presence elsewhere, in spite of their passionate attachment to their free native hills.

From Project Gutenberg

It was then that he heard for the first time Mamma's passionate appeal to him never to let Judy forget Mamma.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a man of no mean mental acquirements, but passionate and often inflamed by inebriety.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ardent
• dramatic
• eager
• eloquent
• emotional
• expressive
• fervent
• fierce
• fiery
• forceful
• heartfelt
• heated
• impassioned
• intense
• poignant
• spirited
• strong
• vehement
• violent
• zealous