fervor

[ fur-ver ]

noun

1. great warmth and earnestness of feeling:

   to speak with great fervor.

   Synonyms: zeal, passion, ardor

2. intense heat.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fervor¹

1350–1400; Middle English fervo ( u ) r < Anglo-French < Latin fervor heat ( fervent, -or ¹ )

Example Sentences

Perhaps more than anything, “Say Anything” captures the ideological fervor that often characterizes the very young: Marian was only 17 when many of the events in the series take place, and Dolours barely in her 20s.

From Los Angeles Times

Some downballot results seem to confirm this anti-incumbent fervor: Voters in California, for example, tossed out the progressive L.A. prosecutor George Gascón, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.

From Slate

He has also played into the prophecy fervor: During his victory speech last week, Trump referred to the assassination attempt on his life in July: “And I said that many people have told me that God spared my life for a reason. And that reason was to save our country and to restore America to greatness.”

From Slate

That is the kind of fervor — James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” played at the Republican National Convention in July — that has surrounded Trump since he swaggered onto the nation’s political stage.

From Los Angeles Times

Only weeks earlier I’d run into a tarantula on the trail’s edge clutching a still-living insect in its long furry arms — several hikers were hovering over it, snapping photos with paparazzi-like fervor.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ardor
• earnestness
• intensity
• passion
• piety
• seriousness
• sincerity
• warmth
• zeal