ardor
Americannoun
-
great warmth of feeling; fervor; passion.
She spoke persuasively and with ardor.
- Synonyms:
- intensity, earnestness, spirit, fervency
-
intense devotion, eagerness, or enthusiasm; zeal.
his well-known ardor for Chinese art.
-
burning heat.
Etymology
Origin of ardor
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin, equivalent to ārd ( ēre ) to burn + -or -or 1; replacing Middle English ardure < Old French ardur < Latin, as above; 17th century ardour < Anglo-French < Latin, as above
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He policed brushback pitches with ardor and once called a night game for darkness when lighting malfunctions compromised visibility near home plate.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026
That hasn’t dimmed the ardor of rich Indian families for pre-IPO investment yet, Pasupuleti says.
From Barron's • Nov. 20, 2025
Van Patten and De Domenico plausibly capture that youthful ardor while making it obvious why their displays of affection translate poorly to local police officials unprepared to investigate a murder that quickly drew international scrutiny.
From Salon • Aug. 20, 2025
To love a Scorpio, then, is to fiercely protect their softness with the same shadowy ardor that they use to construct their inner adamantine fortresses.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2024
His visits to Boston became fewer, though he still responded to her letters with the ardor of a lover.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
