fervent

adjective

fer·​vent ˈfər-vənt 

1

: very hot : glowing

the fervent sun

2

: exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling : zealous

fervent prayers

a fervent proponent

fervent patriotism

fervently adverb

Synonyms

• 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

Spurred on by her fervent belief in Jones’s talent, Morrison was determined to ensure that Corregidora made an impression, well aware of how a successful debut could define a fiction writer’s career—particularly that of a Black woman fiction writer. —Clint Smith, The Atlantic, 24 June 2025

The Messi-Inter Miami Effect Amid all that, contests with South American teams have seen fervent crowds. —Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

Trump can do that by walking his most fervent supporters, as well as the American public, through his thinking. —Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 June 2025

Tulsi Gabbard: Likely Dove Director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, known for her fervent anti-interventionist views, is likely to oppose U.S. involvement in foreign hostilities. —Isabel Van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025

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 1

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