passionate

[pash-uh-nit]

adjective

1. having, compelled by, or ruled by intense emotion or strong feeling; fervid.

   a passionate advocate of socialism.

   Synonyms: violent, fiery, burning, glowing, earnest, enthusiastic, warm, fervent, excited, impassioned, ardent, impetuous, impulsive, zealous, emotional, excitable
   Antonyms: calm, cool

2. easily aroused to or influenced by sexual desire; ardently sensual.

3. expressing, showing, or marked by intense or strong feeling; emotional.

   passionate language.

   Synonyms: violent, fiery, burning, glowing, earnest, enthusiastic, warm, fervent, excited, impassioned, ardent
   Antonyms: calm, cool

4. intense or vehement, as emotions or feelings.

   passionate grief.

   Synonyms: violent, fiery, burning, glowing, earnest, enthusiastic, warm, fervent, excited, impassioned, ardent
   Antonyms: calm, cool

5. easily moved to anger; quick-tempered; irascible.

   Synonyms: hotheaded, fiery, short-tempered, touchy, choleric, testy
   Antonyms: calm, cool

passionate

/ ˈpæʃənɪt /

adjective

1. manifesting or exhibiting intense sexual feeling or desire

   a passionate lover

2. capable of, revealing, or characterized by intense emotion

   a passionate plea

3. easily roused to anger; quick-tempered

Other Word Forms

• passionateness noun
• passionately adverb
• nonpassionate adjective
• nonpassionateness noun
• overpassionate adjective
• overpassionateness noun
• unpassionate adjective
• unpassionateness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of passionate¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin passiōnātus, equivalent to Late Latin passiōn- passion + Latin -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

"I thought I was still pretty passionate about the game, but I realised I probably wasn't," says Spencer.

Read more on BBC

"We decided it would remain a cinema because we are passionate, but we had to find a new economic model," he told AFP.

Read more on Barron's

However, South Africa's double World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi is in no doubt about the fixture's validity, presenting a passionate defence.

Read more on BBC

But their passionate campaign had one fundamental problem: The story wasn’t true.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This Argentina team have bona fide stars, a passionate heart and the ability to beat anyone if they get into their groove.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• ardent 
• dramatic 
• eager 
• eloquent 
• emotional 
• expressive 
• fervent 
• fierce 
• fiery 
• forceful 
• heartfelt 
• heated 
• impassioned 
• intense 
• poignant 
• spirited 
• strong 
• vehement 
• violent 
• zealous