ardent

[ahr-dnt]

adjective

1. having, expressive of, or characterized by intense feeling; passionate; fervent.

   an ardent vow;

   ardent love.

   Synonyms: impassioned, eager, fervid

2. intensely devoted, eager, or enthusiastic; zealous.

   an ardent theatergoer;

   an ardent student of French history.

   Synonyms: keen, avid

3. fiercely bright; glowing like fire.

   They were frightened by his ardent, burning eyes.

4. Archaic or Literary.,  burning, fiery, or hot.

   the ardent core of a star.

ardent

/ ˈɑːdənt /

adjective

1. expressive of or characterized by intense desire or emotion; passionate

   ardent love

2. intensely enthusiastic; eager

   an ardent longing

3. glowing, flashing, or shining

   ardent eyes

4. rare,  burning

   an ardent fever

Other Word Forms

• ardently adverb
• ardency noun
• ardentness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ardent¹

First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin ārdent- (stem of ārdēns, present participle of ārdēre “to burn”), equivalent to ārd- “burn” + -ent- noun and adjective suffix ( -ent ), replacing Middle English ardant, from Middle French

Word History and Origins

Origin of ardent¹

C14: from Latin ārdēre to burn

Example Sentences

For his ardent followers, his disappearance holds the same level of intrigue as the 1963 killing of US President John F Kennedy.

From BBC

That said, despite my newfound devotion, ardent enough that I’ve had to replace my “good oregano” twice in the time since the original acquisition, I hadn’t ever really given oregano its time in the spotlight.

From Salon

And his political views were easy to figure out: Halimi had made numerous media appearances as one of the Taliban’s more ardent critics, accusing them of straying from Islam’s true principles.

From Salon

South Carolina Sen. John C. Calhoun, an ardent defender of states’ rights and slavery, argued there was nothing in the Constitution that gave Congress the power to establish a national cultural institution.

From Salon

Ticket-holders Hilary Hamm and Maria Segovia - ardent tennis fans who have previously travelled from New York to Wimbledon and the Australian Open - admitted they have rarely watched mixed doubles in the past.

From BBC

Related Words

• avid 
• fervent 
• fierce 
• impassioned 
• intense 
• keen 
• passionate 
• vehement 
• zealous