passionate

adjective

pas·​sion·​ate ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət 

1

a

: capable of, affected by, or expressing intense feeling

a passionate performance

a passionate coach

b

: enthusiastic, ardent

is passionate about basketball

2

: swayed by or affected with sexual desire and often romantic feeling

a passionate love affair

a long, passionate kiss

3

a

: easily aroused to anger

… a passionate but not a vicious boy …

—H. E. Scudder

b

: filled with anger : angry

She was passionate in her defense of her cub, and rage transformed her.

—G. D. Brown

passionateness noun

Synonyms of passionate

• intense
• emotional
• enthusiastic
• warm
• ardent
• glowing
• fervent
• demonstrative
• charged
• impassioned
• fiery
• fervid

Choose the Right Synonym for passionate

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 passionate in a Sentence

He gave a passionate speech on tax reform.

She has a passionate interest in animal rights.

She is passionate about art.

We were moved by his passionate plea for forgiveness.

Recent Examples on the Web

With more than 33 billion plays and one of the most passionate fanbases on the Roblox platform, Grow a Garden is a game where players cultivate thriving gardens, trade crops, decorate worlds, and collaborate in seasonal events. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025

Both are impeccably made and performed and will have passionate supporters. —Jenelle Riley, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025

Martin is passionate and knowledgeable about both, but skincare is her specialty. —Amy Stark Shireman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025

One of the most passionate guides in the territory is Sandra Peña, owner of Nomada Excursions, who has been professionally aurora hunting since 2006. —Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 1 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for passionate

• compassionate
• dispassionate

Kids Definition

passionate

adjective

pas·​sion·​ate ˈpash-(ə-)nət 

1

: excited or easily excited to strong feeling

2

: showing or expressing strong feeling

3

: strongly affected with sexual desire

passionately adverb