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

KS: You are passionate about the future of the game and are on a Professional Footballers' Association board.

From BBC

"The people of Caerphilly deserve a passionate local representative in the Senedd. I'm determined to offer a positive agenda, to give this area a fair deal," he said.

From BBC

Even more so because Joan, raised in New York City, was a passionate theatergoer.

From Los Angeles Times

"She was extremely passionate about her work... it's what she lived for outside of her family," her grandson, Jabulani Nyembe, said.

From BBC

“He is God-fearing, extremely passionate about soccer, and a mentor to his little brothers. He was just a friend that his friends could rely on.”

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