Passionate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət/ pas·sion·ate

Meaning & Definition of Passionate

Passionate (adjective)

  1. capable of, affected by, or expressing intense feeling
  2. enthusiastic, ardent
  3. swayed by or affected with sexual desire and often romantic feeling

Passionate (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or expressing great depth of feeling

    "a passionate defense of the controversial play"

    similar: ardent, blazing, burning, charged, demonstrative, emotional, fervent, fervid, feverish, fiery, flaming, glowing, hot-blooded, impassioned, incandescent, intense, passional, perfervid, red-hot, religious, superheated, torrid, vehement, warm, warm-blooded, on fire
    related: gushing, gushy, maudlin, mawkish, mushy, saccharine, sappy, schmaltzy, sentimental, sloppy, sugary, histrionic, melodramatic, enthusiastic, gung ho, keen, zealous, enamored, infatuated, obsessed, uninhibited, unreserved, unrestrained, frenzied, orgiastic, overemotional, overexcited, overheated
    opposite: cold, cool, dispassionate, emotionless, impassive, unemotional
    near: detached, dry, impersonal, objective, reserved, undemonstrative

  2. having a strong sexual desire

    "a passionate couple plunging into a new relationship"

    similar: concupiscent, goatish, horny, hot, hypersexual, itchy, lascivious, lecherous, lewd, libidinous, licentious, lubricious, lustful, oversexed, randy, salacious, satyric, wanton
    related: aroused, excited, easy, fast, loose, promiscuous, dissipated, dissolute, libertine, corrupt, debased, debauched, decadent, degenerate, degraded, demoralized, depraved, immoral, indecent
    opposite: frigid, undersexed
    near: celibate, chaste, decent, immaculate, modest, moral, pure, virtuous, monastic, monkish, maidenly, virginal, innocent, lily-white, priggish, prim, prudish, puritanical, straitlaced, Victorian

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Passionate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Passionate:

ardent, blazing, burning, charged, demonstrative, emotional, fervent, fervid, feverish, fiery, flaming, glowing, hot-blooded, impassioned, incandescent, intense, passional, perfervid, red-hot, religious, superheated, torrid, vehement, warm, warm-blooded, concupiscent, goatish, horny, hot, hypersexual, itchy, lascivious, lecherous, lewd, libidinous, licentious, lubricious, lustful, oversexed, randy

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Passionate

Words with the opposite meaning of Passionate:

cold, cool, dispassionate, emotionless, impassive, unemotional, frigid, undersexed

Related Words for Passionate

gushing, gushy, maudlin, mawkish, mushy, saccharine, sappy, schmaltzy, sentimental, sloppy, sugary, histrionic, melodramatic, enthusiastic, gung ho, keen, zealous, enamored, infatuated, obsessed, uninhibited, unreserved, unrestrained, frenzied, orgiastic, overemotional, overexcited, overheated, aroused, excited

Near Antonyms of Passionate

detached, dry, impersonal, objective, reserved, undemonstrative, celibate, chaste, decent, immaculate, modest, moral, pure, virtuous, monastic, monkish, maidenly, virginal, innocent, lily-white, priggish, prim, prudish, puritanical, straitlaced, Victorian

Word Forms of Passionate

Derived words: passionateness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Passionate

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Passionate

Frequently Asked Questions about Passionate

What does "Passionate" mean?

"Passionate" means capable of, affected by, or expressing intense feeling. As an adjective, it is defined as: capable of, affected by, or expressing intense feeling. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Passionate"?

Other words for "Passionate" include ardent, blazing, burning, charged, demonstrative, emotional, fervent and fervid. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Passionate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Passionate"?

There are 91 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Passionate". Common alternatives include ardent, blazing, burning, charged, demonstrative, emotional, fervent, fervid, feverish and fiery.

What is the opposite of "Passionate"?

Antonyms of "Passionate" include cold, cool, dispassionate, emotionless, impassive, unemotional, frigid and undersexed. Near antonyms include detached, dry, impersonal and objective.

How do you use "Passionate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Passionate" in a sentence: "a passionate defense of the controversial play"; "a passionate couple plunging into a new relationship".

Is "Passionate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Passionate" is an adjective.

Is "Passionate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Passionate" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Passionate"?

"Passionate" is pronounced /ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət/ and divided into syllables as pas·sion·ate.