fervent

[fur-vuhnt]

adjective

1. having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc.; ardent.

   a fervent admirer; a fervent plea.

   Synonyms: passionate, impassioned, fervid

2. hot; burning; glowing.

fervent

/ ˈfɜːvɪd, ˈfɜːvənt /

adjective

1. intensely passionate; ardent

   a fervent desire to change society

2. archaic,  boiling, burning, or glowing

   fervent heat

Other Word Forms

• fervently adverb
• ferventness noun
• nonfervent adjective
• nonferventness noun
• overfervent adjective
• overferventness noun
• superfervent adjective
• unfervent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fervent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French or directly from Latin fervent- (stem of fervēns ) present participle of fervēre “to boil”; -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of fervent¹

C14: from Latin fervēre to boil, glow

Example Sentences

Their urgency to change it in last year’s playoffs was fervent.

From Los Angeles Times

Let the record show Democrats won the White House in 2020 even though Clinton bobbed back up in 2017 and, for a short while, thwarted the party’s fervent desire to “turn the page.”

From Los Angeles Times

Many are wrestling with the impact of a man who attracted fervent crowds, bringing young people into politics and conservative Christian thinking, while at the same time shocking many with his provocative opinions.

From BBC

This was a show that at one point had a fervent following…now?

From Salon

Since its June release, the animated musical movie has developed fervent fans of all ages.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ardent 
• devout 
• earnest 
• ecstatic 
• emotional 
• heartfelt 
• impassioned 
• intense 
• passionate 
• pious 
• religious 
• sincere 
• vehement 
• zealous