ardent
- having, expressive of, or characterized by intense feeling; passionate; fervent: an ardent vow; ardent love.
- intensely devoted, eager, or enthusiastic; zealous: an ardent theatergoer. an ardent student of French history.
- vehement; fierce: They were frightened by his ardent, burning eyes.
- burning, fiery, or hot: the ardent core of a star.
Origin of ardent
Synonyms for ardent
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for ardency
emotion, tenderness, appreciation, taste, fondness, lust, yearning, passion, affection, respect, friendship, devotion, infatuation, eagerness, interest, zeal, joy, energy, warmth, furyExamples from the Web for ardency
Historical Examples of ardency
If my reasoning is correct, the ardency of your passion might have closed with the pursuit.
Alonzo and MelissaDaniel Jackson, Jr.
Oh, forgive the ardency of my passion, which has compell'd me to deceive you.
The Belle's StratagemHannah Cowley
Words cannot describe the ardency of my flame; it is actions only that can do it.
The History of Miss Betsy ThoughtlessEliza Haywood
The ardency of her affections and the determinate character of her mind were well known to her royal relatives.
Their words, and, above all, the ardency of their glances betrayed that.
The Mermaid of Druid Lake and Other StoriesCharles Weathers Bump
ardent
- expressive of or characterized by intense desire or emotion; passionateardent love
- intensely enthusiastic; eageran ardent longing
- glowing, flashing, or shiningardent eyes
- rare burningan ardent fever
Word Origin for ardent
Word Origin and History for ardency
ardent
early 14c., of alcoholic distillates, brandy (ardent spirits), etc., from Old French ardant (13c.) "burning, hot; zealous," from Latin ardentem (nominative ardens) "glowing, fiery, hot, ablaze," also used figuratively of passions, present participle of ardere "to burn," from PIE root *as- "to burn, glow" from PIE root *as- "to burn, glow" (cf. Old English æsce "ashes;" see ash (n.1)).
Ardent spirits (late 15c.) so called because they are inflammable, but the term now, if used at all, probably is felt in the figurative sense. The figurative sense (of "burning with" passions, desire, etc.) is from late 14c.; literal sense of "burning, parching" (c.1400) remains rare. Related: Ardently.