passionate

adjective

pas·​sion·​ate ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət 

1

a

: easily aroused to anger

a passionate but not a vicious boy

—H. E. Scudder

b

: filled with anger : angry

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

—G. D. Brown

2

a

: capable of, affected by, or expressing intense feeling

a passionate performance

a passionate coach

b

: enthusiastic, ardent

is passionate about basketball

3

: swayed by or affected with sexual desire

a passionate love affair

passionateness noun

Synonyms

• concupiscent
• goatish
• horny
• hot
• hypersexual
• itchy
• lascivious
• lecherous
• lewd
• libidinous
• licentious
• lubricious
• lubricous
• lustful
• oversexed
• randy
• salacious
• satyric
• wanton

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

This dynamic combination ignites passionate discussions and thought-provoking exchanges between the Overboard costars. —Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 28 Apr. 2024

These debates get passionate, and the AFI trustees take it very seriously. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 27 Apr. 2024

The tragic incident doesn’t appear to have actually slowed demand or interest in the vessels among its audience of passionate, and often wealthy, underwater exploration enthusiasts. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 25 Apr. 2024

Share your concerns with a passionate display of your willingness to go the distance and get things done. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2024

Aside from one expression of passionate frustration with an American president who has disrupted norms and engaged in acts of authoritarianism, there is no commentary. —Eisa Nefertari Ulen, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024

Led by their tenacious and passionate managing partner, Lawrence LeBrocq, a lawyer with over 35 years of experience navigating the complexities of the legal system, GGL goes above and beyond to ensure their clients receive the best possible outcome. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024

Yes, Mariko and Blackthorne 'pillow' for real After that emotional drama, Blackthorne enters Mariko's chambers for a passionate candlelit tryst. —Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024

Actually, showrunner Jeff Schaffer described the email as a passionate, personal letter from Burd to Pitt. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

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