passionate
Americanadjective
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having, compelled by, or ruled by intense emotion or strong feeling; fervid.
a passionate advocate of socialism.
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easily aroused to or influenced by sexual desire; ardently sensual.
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expressing, showing, or marked by intense or strong feeling; emotional.
passionate language.
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intense or vehement, as emotions or feelings.
passionate grief.
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easily moved to anger; quick-tempered; irascible.
adjective
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manifesting or exhibiting intense sexual feeling or desire
a passionate lover
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capable of, revealing, or characterized by intense emotion
a passionate plea
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easily roused to anger; quick-tempered
Other Word Forms
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
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Tuesdays with Morrie
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Words to Describe Yourself on a Resume
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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.
"Engaging landholders themselves with science and the natural world and getting them more passionate about diversity makes them far more likely to be interested and invested in protecting that diversity," Mesaglio said.
From Science Daily • May 18, 2026
Now our children are well launched and my wife, a passionate lifelong reader, has time to help.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
"I am passionate about my country but I am and always have been motivated by love, not hate."
From BBC • May 13, 2026
Though he doesn’t identify as a foodie, he is a passionate eater.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
“To be a child and to be passionate, eh?” he said to my mom.
From "Hurricane Child" by Kheryn Callender
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.
