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

Derived Forms

• ˈpassionateness, noun
• ˈpassionately, adverb

Other Words From

• pas·sion·ate·ly adverb
• pas·sion·ate·ness noun
• non·pas·sion·ate adjective
• non·pas·sion·ate·ness noun
• o·ver·pas·sion·ate adjective
• o·ver·pas·sion·ate·ness noun
• un·pas·sion·ate adjective
• un·pas·sion·ate·ness 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

Near the end of his set, he squared up behind a mic and started throwing out long, passionate vocal lines in a language I can’t say I recognized.

From Los Angeles Times

"I am passionate about contributing to solutions that support breastfeeding and provide mental health and financial stability resources for mothers, creating healthier outcomes for both mothers and children across diverse backgrounds."

From Science Daily

"These are powerful, resilient women … They are passionate about farming and farm life."

From Science Daily

“We have a very passionate audience, and we understand them very well,” said Jason Klarman, Fox News Media’s chief digital and marketing officer.

From Los Angeles Times

“I love the fans — I loved how passionate they were,” Garoppolo said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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