A passionate person has very strong feelings about something or a strong belief in something.
...his passionate commitment to peace.
I'm a passionate believer in public art.
He is very passionate about the project. [+ about]
...a passionate and combative speech.
Synonyms: emotional, excited, eager, enthusiastic More Synonyms of passionate
passionatelyadverb
I am passionately opposed to the death penalty.
Synonyms: furiously, angrily, violently, excitably More Synonyms of passionate
Synonyms: emotionally, eagerly, enthusiastically, vehemently More Synonyms of passionate
2. adjective
A passionate person has strong romantic or sexual feelings and expresses them in their behaviour.
...a beautiful, passionate woman of twenty-six.
...the story of a passionate love affair.
We were both very tender and passionate towards one another.
passionatelyadverb
He was passionately in love with her.
She kissed him passionately.
Synonyms: furiously, angrily, violently, excitably More Synonyms of passionate
Synonyms: emotionally, eagerly, enthusiastically, vehemently More Synonyms of passionate
Synonyms: lovingly, with passion, erotically, ardently More Synonyms of passionate
More Synonyms of passionate
passionate in British English
(ˈpæʃənɪt)
adjective
1.
manifesting or exhibiting intense sexual feeling or desire
a passionate lover
2.
capable of, revealing, or characterized by intense emotion
a passionate plea
3.
easily roused to anger; quick-tempered
Derived forms
passionately (ˈpassionately)
adverb
passionateness (ˈpassionateness)
noun
passionate in American English
(ˈpæʃənɪt)
adjective
1.
having or showing strong feelings; full of passion
2.
easily angered; hot-tempered
3.
resulting from, expressing, or tending to arouse strong feeling; ardent; intense; impassioned
a passionate speech
4.
readily aroused to sexual activity; sensual
5.
strong; vehement
said of an emotion
SYNONYMY NOTE: passionate implies strong or violent emotion, often of an impetuous kind [a passionate rage]; impassioned suggests an expression of emotion that is deeply and sincerely felt [an impassioned plea for tolerance]; ardent, fervent suggest a fiery or glowing feeling of eagerness, enthusiasm, devotion, etc. [an ardent pursuit of knowledge, a fervent prayer]; fervid differs from , fervent in often suggesting an outburst of intense feeling that is at a fever pitch [a vengeful, fervid hatred]
Derived forms
passionately (ˈpassionately)
adverb
Word origin
ME passionat < ML passionatus
Examples of 'passionate' in a sentence
passionate
The bitterness had gone and the three days they spent together were passionate and intense.
Mark Burnell CHAMELEON (2002)
In other languages
passionate
British English: passionate ADJECTIVE
A passionate person has very strong feelings about something or a strong belief in something.
...his passionate commitment to peace.
American English: passionate
Brazilian Portuguese: apaixonado
Chinese: 狂热的
European Spanish: apasionado
French: passionné
German: leidenschaftlich
Italian: appassionato
Japanese: 情熱的な
Korean: 열렬한
European Portuguese: apaixonado
Latin American Spanish: apasionado
Chinese translation of 'passionate'
passionate
(ˈpæʃənɪt)
adj
[person]
(= fervent) 充满(滿)激情的 (chōngmǎn jīqíng de)
(= loving) 热(熱)恋(戀)的 (rèliàn de)
[affair, embrace]感情强(強)烈的 (gǎnqíng qiángliè de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
capable of or revealing intense emotion
He made a passionate speech about his commitment to peace.
Synonyms
emotional
I don't get as emotional as I once did.
excited
eager
He looked at the crowd of eager faces around him.
enthusiastic
The band drew a huge and enthusiastic crowd.
animated
Everyone became more animated.
strong
Having strong unrequited feelings for someone is hard.
warm
We were instantly attracted by his warm personality.
wild
She's just wild about science.
intense
Her reaction to the news was more intense than I had imagined.
flaming
We had a flaming row last night.
fierce
He inspires fierce loyalty in his friends.
frenzied
ardent
an ardent opponent of the war
fervent
a fervent admirer of her work
heartfelt
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all the relatives.
impassioned
He made an impassioned appeal for peace.
zealous
She was a zealous worker for charitable bodies.
impulsive
The press claim that she is too impulsive to be a responsible prime minister.
vehement
There has been widespread and vehement condemnation of the attack.
impetuous
He tended to act in a heated and impetuous way.
fervid
Opposites
calm
,
subdued
,
indifferent
,
cold
,
apathetic
,
nonchalant
,
unenthusiastic
,
unemotional
,
languorous
,
half-hearted
2 (adjective)
Definition
showing intense sexual desire
a passionate embrace
Synonyms
loving
a loving husband and father
erotic
passionate and erotic love poetry
hot
It was too hot even for a gentle stroll.
sexy (informal)
aroused
sensual
He was a very sensual person.
ardent
an ardent lover
steamy (informal)
He'd had a steamy affair with an office colleague.
wanton
amorous
the object of his amorous intentions
lustful
He can't stop himself from having lustful thoughts.
desirous
Opposites
cold
,
frigid
,
unresponsive
,
passionless
,
unloving
3 (adjective)
She has a passionate temper.
Synonyms
quick-tempered
They are wonderful people, but very quick-tempered.
violent
I had a violent temper and was always in fights.
fiery
I see you have a fiery temper.
stormy
The letter was read at a stormy meeting.
irritable
He had been waiting for an hour and was starting to feel irritable.
excitable
The patient was in a highly excitable state.
tempestuous
the couple's tempestuous relationship
irascible
He had an irascible temper.
peppery
a peppery temper
hot-headed
a footballer whose fiery temper makes him too hot-headed to handle
hot-tempered
choleric
He plays a choleric old schoolmaster.
Opposites
calm
,
agreeable
,
easy-going
,
placid
,
nonviolent
,
even-tempered
,
unexcitable
Additional synonyms
in the sense of amorous
Definition
feeling, displaying, or relating to sexual love or desire
the object of his amorous intentions
Synonyms
loving,
in love,
tender,
passionate,
fond,
erotic,
affectionate,
ardent,
impassioned,
doting,
enamoured,
lustful,
attached,
lovesick,
amatory
in the sense of animated
Definition
interesting and lively
Everyone became more animated.
Synonyms
lively,
spirited,
quick,
excited,
active,
vital,
dynamic,
enthusiastic,
passionate,
vivid,
vigorous,
energetic,
vibrant,
brisk,
buoyant,
ardent,
airy,
fervent,
zealous,
elated,
ebullient,
sparky,
sprightly,
vivacious,
gay (old-fashioned),
alive and kicking,
full of beans (informal),
zestful
in the sense of ardent
Definition
intensely enthusiastic
an ardent opponent of the war
Synonyms
enthusiastic,
keen,
eager,
avid,
zealous,
keen as mustard
Synonyms of 'passionate'
passionate
Explore 'passionate' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of ardent
Definition
passionate
an ardent lover
Synonyms
passionate,
warm,
spirited,
intense,
flaming,
fierce,
fiery,
hot,
fervent,
impassioned,
emotional,
ablaze,
lusty,
vehement,
amorous,
hot-blooded,
warm-blooded,
fervid
in the sense of choleric
Definition
bad-tempered
He plays a choleric old schoolmaster.
Synonyms
bad-tempered,
cross,
angry,
irritable,
touchy,
petulant,
ill-tempered,
irascible,
tetchy,
ratty (British, New Zealand, informal),
tooshie (Australian, slang),
testy,
chippy (informal),
hot-tempered,
quick-tempered,
chippy (informal)
in the sense of eager
Definition
very keen to have or do something
He looked at the crowd of eager faces around him.
Synonyms
keen,
interested,
earnest,
intense,
enthusiastic,
passionate,
ardent,
avid,
fervent,
zealous,
fervid,
keen as mustard,
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (informal)
in the sense of enthusiastic
The band drew a huge and enthusiastic crowd.
Synonyms
keen,
earnest,
spirited,
committed,
excited,
devoted,
warm,
eager,
lively,
passionate,
vigorous,
ardent,
hearty,
exuberant,
avid,
fervent,
zealous,
ebullient,
vehement,
wholehearted,
full of beans (informal),
fervid,
keen as mustard,
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (informal)
in the sense of erotic
Definition
of, concerning, or arousing sexual desire or giving sexual pleasure
passionate and erotic love poetry
Synonyms
sexual,
sexy (informal),
crude,
explicit,
rousing,
sensual,
seductive,
vulgar,
stimulating,
steamy (informal),
suggestive,
aphrodisiac,
voluptuous,
carnal,
titillating,
bawdy,
lustful,
sexually arousing,
erogenous,
amatory
in the sense of excitable
Definition
nervous and easily excited
The patient was in a highly excitable state.
Synonyms
nervous,
emotional,
violent,
sensitive,
tense,
passionate,
volatile,
hasty,
edgy,
temperamental,
touchy,
mercurial,
uptight (informal),
irascible,
testy,
hot-headed,
chippy (informal),
hot-tempered,
quick-tempered,
highly strung,
adrenalized
in the sense of fervent
Definition
intensely sincere and passionate
a fervent admirer of her work
Synonyms
ardent,
earnest,
enthusiastic,
fervid,
passionate,
warm,
excited,
emotional,
intense,
flaming,
eager,
animated,
fiery,
ecstatic,
devout,
heartfelt,
impassioned,
zealous,
vehement,
perfervid (literary)
in the sense of fierce
Definition
intense or strong
He inspires fierce loyalty in his friends.
Synonyms
intense,
strong,
keen,
passionate,
relentless,
cut-throat
in the sense of fiery
Definition
displaying strong passion, esp. anger
I see you have a fiery temper.
Synonyms
excitable,
violent,
fierce,
passionate,
irritable,
impetuous,
irascible,
peppery,
hot-headed,
choleric
in the sense of flaming
Definition
very angry and heated
We had a flaming row last night.
Synonyms
intense,
angry,
raging,
impassioned,
hot,
aroused,
vivid,
frenzied,
ardent,
scintillating,
vehement
Additional synonyms
in the sense of heartfelt
Definition
sincerely and strongly felt
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all the relatives.
Synonyms
sincere,
deep,
earnest,
warm,
genuine,
profound,
honest,
ardent,
devout,
hearty,
fervent,
cordial,
wholehearted,
dinkum (Australian, New Zealand, informal),
unfeigned
in the sense of hot
Definition
having a temperature higher than desirable
It was too hot even for a gentle stroll.
Synonyms
warm,
close,
stifling,
humid,
torrid,
sultry,
sweltering,
balmy,
muggy
in the sense of hot-headed
Definition
impetuous, rash, or hot-tempered
a footballer whose fiery temper makes him too hot-headed to handle
Synonyms
volatile,
rash,
fiery,
reckless,
precipitate,
hasty,
unruly,
foolhardy,
impetuous,
hot-tempered,
quick-tempered
in the sense of impassioned
Definition
full of emotion
He made an impassioned appeal for peace.
Synonyms
intense,
heated,
passionate,
warm,
excited,
inspired,
violent,
stirring,
flaming,
furious,
glowing,
blazing,
vivid,
animated,
rousing,
fiery,
worked up,
ardent,
inflamed,
fervent,
ablaze,
vehement,
fervid
in the sense of impetuous
Definition
done rashly or hastily
He tended to act in a heated and impetuous way.
Synonyms
rash,
hasty,
impulsive,
violent,
furious,
fierce,
eager,
passionate,
spontaneous,
precipitate,
ardent,
impassioned,
headlong,
unplanned,
unbridled,
vehement,
unrestrained,
spur-of-the-moment,
unthinking,
unpremeditated,
unreflecting
in the sense of impulsive
Definition
done without thinking first
The press claim that she is too impulsive to be a responsible prime minister.
Synonyms
instinctive,
emotional,
unpredictable,
quick,
passionate,
rash,
spontaneous,
precipitate,
intuitive,
hasty,
headlong,
impetuous,
devil-may-care,
unconsidered,
unpremeditated
in the sense of intense
Definition
characterized by deep or forceful feelings
Her reaction to the news was more intense than I had imagined.
Synonyms
passionate,
burning,
earnest,
emotional,
keen,
flaming,
consuming,
fierce,
eager,
enthusiastic,
heightened,
energetic,
animated,
ardent,
fanatical,
fervent,
heartfelt,
impassioned,
vehement,
forcible,
fervid
in the sense of irascible
Definition
easily angered
He had an irascible temper.
Synonyms
bad-tempered,
cross,
irritable,
crabbed,
touchy,
cantankerous,
peppery,
tetchy,
ratty (British, New Zealand, informal),
testy,
chippy (informal),
short-tempered,
hot-tempered,
quick-tempered,
choleric,
narky (British, slang)
in the sense of irritable
Definition
easily annoyed or angered
He had been waiting for an hour and was starting to feel irritable.
Synonyms
bad-tempered,
cross,
snappy,
hot,
tense,
crabbed,
fiery,
snarling,
prickly,
exasperated,
edgy,
touchy,
petulant,
ill-tempered,
irascible,
cantankerous,
tetchy,
ratty (British, New Zealand, informal),
testy,
chippy (informal),
fretful,
peevish,
crabby,
dyspeptic,
choleric,
crotchety (informal),
oversensitive,
snappish,
ill-humoured,
narky (British, slang),
out of humour
in the sense of lustful
He can't stop himself from having lustful thoughts.
Synonyms
lascivious,
sexy (informal),
passionate,
erotic,
craving,
sensual,
randy (informal, British),
raunchy (informal),
horny (slang),
hankering,
lewd,
wanton,
carnal,
prurient,
lecherous,
hot-blooded,
libidinous,
licentious,
concupiscent,
unchaste
Additional synonyms
in the sense of peppery
Definition
irritable
a peppery temper
Synonyms
irritable,
touchy,
vitriolic,
irascible,
testy,
chippy (informal),
waspish,
hot-tempered,
quick-tempered,
choleric,
snappish
in the sense of sensual
Definition
having a strong liking for physical, esp. sexual, pleasures
He was a very sensual person.
Synonyms
sexual,
sexy (informal),
erotic,
randy (informal, British),
steamy (informal),
raunchy (informal),
lewd,
voluptuous,
lascivious,
lustful,
lecherous,
libidinous,
licentious,
unchaste
in the sense of sexy
Definition
sexually exciting or attractive
Synonyms
erotic,
sensual,
seductive,
inviting,
bedroom,
provoking,
arousing,
naughty,
provocative,
sensuous,
suggestive,
voluptuous,
slinky,
titillating,
flirtatious,
come-hither (informal),
kissable,
beddable,
hot (informal)
in the sense of steamy
Definition
(of books, films, etc.) erotic
He'd had a steamy affair with an office colleague.
Synonyms
erotic,
hot (slang),
sexy (informal),
sensual,
raunchy (informal),
lewd,
carnal,
titillating,
prurient,
lascivious,
lustful,
lubricious (formal, literary)
in the sense of stormy
Definition
involving violent emotions
The letter was read at a stormy meeting.
Synonyms
angry,
heated,
fierce,
passionate,
fiery,
impassioned,
tumultuous
in the sense of strong
Definition
committed or fervent
Having strong unrequited feelings for someone is hard.
Synonyms
intense,
deep,
passionate,
ardent,
fierce,
profound,
forceful,
fervent,
deep-rooted,
vehement,
fervid
in the sense of tempestuous
Definition
extremely emotional or passionate
the couple's tempestuous relationship
Synonyms
passionate,
intense,
turbulent,
heated,
wild,
excited,
emotional,
violent,
flaming,
hysterical,
stormy,
impassioned,
uncontrolled,
boisterous,
feverish
in the sense of vehement
Definition
(of actions or gestures) performed with great force or energy
There has been widespread and vehement condemnation of the attack.
Synonyms
strong,
fierce,
forceful,
earnest,
powerful,
violent,
intense,
flaming,
eager,
enthusiastic,
passionate,
ardent,
emphatic,
fervent,
impassioned,
zealous,
forcible,
fervid
in the sense of violent
Definition
very intense
I had a violent temper and was always in fights.
Synonyms
fiery,
raging,
fierce,
flaming,
furious,
passionate,
peppery,
ungovernable
in the sense of warm
Definition
kindly or affectionate
We were instantly attracted by his warm personality.