ardor

ar·dor

noun \ˈär-dər\

Definition of ARDOR

1

a : an often restless or transitory warmth of feeling <the sudden ardors of youth>

b : extreme vigor or energy : intensity

c : zeal

d : loyalty

2

: sexual excitement

Examples of ARDOR

1. the sudden ardors of youth
2. <candidates for citizenship reciting the oath of allegiance to the United States with all the ardor that they could muster>

Origin of ARDOR

Middle English ardour, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin ardor burning, heat, ardor, from aridus dry — more at arid

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ARDOR

Synonyms

ardency, emotion, enthusiasm, fervency, fervidness, fervor, fire, heat, intenseness, intensity, passion, passionateness, vehemence, violence, warmth, white heat

Antonyms

impassiveness, impassivity, insensibility, insensibleness, insensitiveness, insensitivity

Related Words

cathexis; emotionalism, emotionality, histrionics, mawkishness, melodrama, sappiness, sentimentality; eagerness, earnestness, excitement, gusto, keenness, zest; fanaticism, fever, hot-bloodedness, infatuation, mania, obsession, zeal; compassion, responsiveness, sentiment, sympathy, tenderness; torridity, torridness

Near Antonyms

aloofness, calmness, collectedness, composure, detachedness, dryness, phlegm, reserve, reservedness, reticence, taciturnity; apathy, indifference, stoicism, stoniness, unconcern; stiffness, woodenness; chilliness, coldness, coolness, frigidity, frigidness

See Synonym Discussion at passion

Rhymes with ARDOR

carder, guarder, larder, yarder