fervent

adjective

fer·​vent ˈfər-vənt 

1

: exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling : zealous

fervent prayers

a fervent admirer/supporter/proponent

… they've built one of the most fervent fan bases in electronic music …

—Niyaz Pirani

2

: very hot : glowing

the fervent sun

fervently adverb

Synonyms of fervent

• passionate
• warm
• passional
• ardent
• intense
• emotional

Choose the Right Synonym for fervent

impassioned, passionate, ardent, fervent, fervid, perfervid mean showing intense feeling.

impassioned implies warmth and intensity without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression.

an impassioned plea for justice

passionate implies great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion of emotion.

a passionate denunciation

ardent implies an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm.

an ardent supporter of human rights

fervent stresses sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal.

fervent good wishes

fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and often feverishly expressed emotion.

fervid love letters

perfervid implies the expression of exaggerated or overwrought feelings.

perfervid expressions of patriotism

Examples of fervent in a Sentence

a fervent speech that called for tolerance and compassion for those who are different

in the thick, fervent air of a tropical afternoon, a languor set in

Recent Examples on the Web

Some conservatives outside of Congress, who were once fervent Trump supporters, also condemned the president's threats. —Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026

Blame Ryan Murphy’s Love Story for introducing a new generation to Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, or simply an even more fervent nostalgia for an era of no smart phones and more affordable apartments. —Daisy Jones, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026

The mother, aside from her fervent devotion to Saint Cyrus, is sublimely practical, making fine clothes for others and above all for herself. —Tim Parks, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026

In Florida, the large number of people arrested by local police has also made some of DeSantis' most fervent supporters uncomfortable. —Meg Anderson, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin fervent-, fervens, present participle of fervēre to boil, froth — more at barm

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for fervent

• servant
• maidservant
• manservant
• observant

Kids Definition

fervent

adjective

fer·​vent ˈfər-vənt 

: having or expressing great warmth or depth of feeling

a fervent hope

fervency

-vən-sē

noun

fervently adverb