passionate
Americanadjective
-
having, compelled by, or ruled by intense emotion or strong feeling; fervid.
a passionate advocate of socialism.
-
easily aroused to or influenced by sexual desire; ardently sensual.
-
expressing, showing, or marked by intense or strong feeling; emotional.
passionate language.
-
intense or vehement, as emotions or feelings.
passionate grief.
-
easily moved to anger; quick-tempered; irascible.
adjective
-
manifesting or exhibiting intense sexual feeling or desire
a passionate lover
-
capable of, revealing, or characterized by intense emotion
a passionate plea
-
easily roused to anger; quick-tempered
Other Word Forms
- nonpassionate adjective
- nonpassionateness noun
- overpassionate adjective
- overpassionateness noun
- passionately adverb
- passionateness noun
- unpassionate adjective
- unpassionateness noun
Etymology
Origin of passionate
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin passiōnātus, equivalent to Late Latin passiōn- passion + Latin -ātus -ate 1
Explanation
Something that is passionate packs emotion, and possibly romantic emotion. A passionate plea will tug on your heartstrings and a passionate kiss will sweep you off your feet. If you want to stay unmoved, stay away from the passionate. If you're passionate about soccer, you can't get enough of it — you've got soccer pennants plastered on your walls, your TV is permanently tuned to the soccer channel, and you probably wear soccer jerseys under your button-down shirt. Passion can also come from intense feelings of love for a person. Be careful — you could be swept up in "a passionate embrace."
Vocabulary lists containing passionate
Positive Adjectives to Describe People
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Tuesdays with Morrie
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Words to Describe Yourself on a Resume
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
In one of his most passionate entreaties yet to end the raging conflict in the Middle East, the American pope said faith was needed "in order to face this dramatic hour in history together".
From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026
In Baton Rouge, La., the French chef Philippe Parola has become a passionate advocate for Copi.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
“They care about baseball here. It’s a fun environment. If people weren’t a little upset and a little, I’d say, passionate about what happened last year in the World Series, maybe they’re not real fans.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026
"I learned pretty early through fan engagements how passionate they were about this. It was not always super friendly," added Meis.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
“Yeah, you seem truly passionate about that quote, sis,” Dalma says.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
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.
