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passionate

PASH-un-it /ˈpæʃ.ən.ət/

adjectiveB1IELTSTOEFLSAT

neutral

Showing or caused by strong feelings or intense sexual/romantic emotion.

Can describe romantic desire, intense commitment to a hobby, or fiery speech.

The story behind the word. From Latin 'passio', derived from 'pati' (to suffer or endure). The term originally referred to enduring intense suffering—such as the Passion of Christ—before expanding to describe any emotion powerful enough to overwhelm reason.

Word relationships

ardent: Ardent stresses burning enthusiasm or fierce warmth, while passionate covers a broader range of intense emotional energy.
fervent: Fervent emphasizes solemn, deeply felt sincerity and conviction.

apathetic: Apathetic means showing no interest, energy, or feeling.
dispassionate: Dispassionate means rational, impartial, and free from emotional sway.

Commonly confused with

passive: Passive means inactive or letting things happen, which is the direct opposite of energetic, passionate action.

Word family

passion (noun): Strong and barely controllable emotion.
passionately (adverb): In a way that shows strong feeling.

Collocations

passionate speech
passionate belief
passionate lover

Idioms & expressions

with fiery zeal
heart and soul

Example sentences

"She gave a passionate speech advocating for ocean conservation to the global summit." Career ambition
"Their passionate romance was celebrated in songs and poems throughout the region." Romantic relationships

Memory hook

PASSIONATE people put full PASSION into everything. Fire in the heart that drives deep feeling.

When not to use

Avoid using to describe passive, routine, or dispassionate tasks.

Fun facts

Because of its Latin root 'pati' (to suffer), 'passionate' is directly related to 'patient' (one who suffers illness) and 'passive' (enduring without action).

Related words

devoted, infatuation, adore

Explore more words

fervent, ardor, avid, enthusiastic, zealous, devoted