passionate
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for passionate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Showing or feeling very strong emotion or enthusiasm.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use passionate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin passionatus, "affected with strong feeling," from passion.
Full origin of passionate →Frequently asked questions
What does “passionate” mean?
The word “passionate” means showing or feeling very strong emotion or enthusiasm. In plain terms, full of strong feeling — whether about a cause, a hobby, or a relationship.
How do you pronounce “passionate”?
“Passionate” is pronounced PA-shuh-niht (/ˈpæʃənɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “passionate” in a sentence?
Here is “passionate” used in a sentence: “She gave a passionate speech about climate change.”
What part of speech is “passionate”?
“Passionate” is an adjective.
Where does the word “passionate” come from?
The word “passionate” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin passionatus, "affected with strong feeling," from passion.
Is “passionate” a common word?
“Passionate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between passionate and compassionate?
Passionate means showing or feeling very strong emotion or enthusiasm, while compassionate means feeling sympathy and concern for the suffering of others. Despite looking similar, the words are not interchangeable: a passionate speech is fiery, while a compassionate response is kind.
Is it passionate about or passionate for?
The standard collocation is "passionate about": she is passionate about music. The related noun, however, takes "for" — a passion for music — which is why the two patterns are often confused.
What is the difference between passionate and enthusiastic?
Enthusiastic describes eager interest and excitement, while passionate describes a deeper, more intense emotional commitment. Passionate is the stronger word: an enthusiastic supporter cheers, while a passionate one is emotionally invested.
Is passionate always a positive word?
Usually, but not always. Passionate most often describes admirable enthusiasm, love, or dedication, yet because it covers any very strong emotion it can also describe anger, as in "a passionate outburst".