ardent

ar·dent

adjective \ˈär-d^ənt\

Definition of ARDENT

1

: characterized by warmth of feeling typically expressed in eager zealous support or activity <ardent proponents of the bill>

2

: fiery, hot <an ardent sun>

3

: shining, glowing <ardent eyes>

— ar·dent·ly adverb

Examples of ARDENT

1. <made ardent declarations of love to the woman he someday hoped to marry>
2. <an ardent science-fiction fan who has read virtually all of his favorite author's many works>
3. These ardent young nationalists, mostly still in their 20s and impatient for freedom, had acquired arms from sympathetic nationalist officers in the Indian army … —Gita Mehta, Vogue, April 1997
4. In fact, Gorbachev told me, a schoolboy essay he'd written on the virtues of Stalin was considered so ardent and exemplary that “for years thereafter other children were made to read it.” —David Remnick, New Yorker, 18 Nov. 1996
5. During the fourth century, pagan piety in the upper classes became more elevated, more ardent, and more mystical. —Norman F. Cantor, The Civilization of the Middle Ages, 1993

Origin of ARDENT

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin ardent-, ardens, present participle of ardēre to burn, from ardor

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ARDENT

Synonyms

fervent, blazing, burning, charged, demonstrative, emotional, fervid, feverish, fiery, flaming, glowing, hot-blooded, impassioned, incandescent, intense, passional, passionate, perfervid, red-hot, religious, superheated, torrid, vehement, warm, warm-blooded

Antonyms

cold, cool, dispassionate, emotionless, impassive, unemotional

Related Words

gushing, gushy, maudlin, mawkish, mushy, saccharine, sappy, schmaltzy, sentimental, sloppy, sugary; histrionic, melodramatic; enthusiastic, gung ho, keen, zealous; enamored, infatuated, obsessed; uninhibited, unreserved, unrestrained; frenzied, orgiastic, overemotional, overexcited, overheated

Near Antonyms

detached, dry, impersonal, objective; reserved, undemonstrative

See Synonym Discussion at impassioned

Rhymes with ARDENT

guardant