passion

play

noun pas·sion \ ˈpa-shən \

Definition of passion

1 often capitalized

a :the sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and his death

b :an oratorio based on a gospel narrative of the Passion

Bach's St. Matthew Passion

2 obsolete :suffering

3 :the state or capacity of being acted on by external agents or forces

moldable and not moldable … and many other passions of matter
—Francis Bacon

4 a (1) :emotion

his ruling passion is greed

(2) passions plural :the emotions as distinguished from reason

a study of the passions

b :intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction

with enough passion to make a great poet
—W. B. Yeats

c :an outbreak of anger

a crime of passion

5 a :ardent affection :love

He had never felt such passion for any woman but her.

b :a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept

a passion for chess

a passion for opera

c :sexual desire

a look of passion in her face

d :an object of desire or deep interest

—

passionless

play \ˈpa-shən-ləs\ adjective

See passion defined for English-language learners

See passion defined for kids

Examples of passion in a Sentence

If anyone had asked me what my passions were, I would have said building fires, climbing cliffs, going on long hikes in the woods … —Paul Theroux, Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2001
The gods themselves had passions and frailties—these are the stuff of the myths. —James Salter, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 1997
The skin is dry and as chaste and beautiful as old paper. But I remember the passion inspired by those fingers, their gifted, sly, infinitely provocative caresses and gestures. —Richard Selzer, Discover, February 1994
Polo was the Khan's passion. He cared for little else, and when his armies moved, he moved with them, because he couldn't stand to be without the game. —Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994
Everyone could see the passion in his approach to the work.
a controversy that has stirred passions in Congress
Her performance is full of passion and originality.
She spoke with passion about preserving the building.
The crime was committed in a fit of passion.
Music has always been his passion.
She developed a passion for opera.
a student with a passion for literature

Origin and Etymology of passion

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin passion-, passio suffering, being acted upon, from Latin pati to suffer — more at patient

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

passion Synonyms

Synonyms

affection, attachment, devotedness, devotion, fondness, love

Antonyms

abomination, hate, hatred, loathing, rancor

Related Words

appetite, fancy, favor, like, liking, partiality, preference, relish, taste; craving, crush, desire, infatuation, longing, lust, yearning; ardor, eagerness, enthusiasm, fervor, zeal; appreciation, esteem, estimation, regard, respect; adoration, adulation, deification, idolatry, idolization, worship; allegiance, faithfulness, fealty, fidelity, loyalty, steadfastness

Near Antonyms

allergy, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, aversion, disfavor, dislike, enmity, hostility; abhorrence, disgust, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion; misanthropy

Synonym Discussion of passion

passion, fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, zeal mean intense emotion compelling action. passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

- was a slave to his passions

fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

- read the poem aloud with great fervor

ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.

- the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded

enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

- never showed much enthusiasm for sports

zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

- preaches with fanatical zeal

synonyms see in addition feeling

PASSION Defined for English Language Learners

passion

play

noun

Definition of passion for English Language Learners

: a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something
: a strong feeling (such as anger) that causes you to act in a dangerous way
: a strong sexual or romantic feeling for someone