passion

noun

pas·sion | \ ˈpa-shən

plural passions

Essential Meaning of passion

1 : a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something Everyone could see the passion in his approach to the work. a controversy that has stirred passions in Congress See More ExamplesHer performance is full of passion and originality. She spoke with passion about preserving the building.Hide

2 : a strong feeling (such as anger) that causes you to act in a dangerous way The crime was committed in a fit of passion. a crime of passion destructive passions

3 : a strong sexual or romantic feeling for someone sexual passions

Full 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

4a(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

5a : 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

Other Words from passion Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About passion

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Choose the Right Synonym for passion

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

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

Recent Examples on the Web On the contrary, the most joyful, enduring romances are those that are able to evolve from passionate to companionate love—which still has plenty of passion, but is fundamentally based in deep friendship. — Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2021 Leaving behind her career as an electrical engineer in pursuit of her passion for design, Latifa Al Gurg founded her fashion brand, Twisted Roots, in 2014. — Alice Holtham, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2021 Regardless of the dynamic of your love life, all of my Aries will feel sparks of passion this month. — Meghan Ros, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2021 Taylor plays Joan Hambling, a longtime professor at the fictional Pembroke University who is alternately appalled and energized by her students’ Gen Z joie de vivre (though none of them can ignite the kind of passion in her that Chaucer does). — Emma Specter, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2021 Beau plays the game with the right kind of passion and is an inspiration to our other players. — oregonlive, 30 Aug. 2021 Beau plays the game with the right kind of passion and is an inspiration to our other players. — Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 29 Aug. 2021 Born out of passion and two years of meticulous planning, Lost in Riddim will take place Oct. 2-3 in Sacramento. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2021 Riley and Maurissa’s date is a reminder that Black people can also have an easy romantic time with a heavy undertone of adult passion. — Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 25 Aug. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'passion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near passion

pass into the hands of

passion

passional

Statistics for passion

Last Updated

14 Sep 2021

Cite this Entry

“Passion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passion. Accessed 23 Sep. 2021.

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More Definitions for passion

passion

noun

pas·sion | \ ˈpa-shən

Kids Definition of passion

1 : a strong feeling or emotion He spoke with passion.

2 : an object of someone's love, liking, or desire Art is my passion.

3 : strong liking or desire : love She has a passion for music.

passion

noun

pas·sion | \ ˈpa-shən

Legal Definition of passion

: intense, driving, or overpowering feeling or emotion especially : any violent or intense emotion that prevents reflection — see also heat of passion