passion
PA-shuhn
Passion (noun) means an intense feeling or enthusiasm, especially love or strong interest. Example: “Cooking has been her passion since childhood.”
noun
1
An intense feeling or enthusiasm, especially love or strong interest.
"Cooking has been her passion since childhood."
"He spoke about the project with real passion."
"Her passion for music led her to spend every weekend playing in a band."
2
In Christian tradition, the suffering of Jesus in the period leading up to his crucifixion.
"The church performed a play depicting the Passion during Holy Week."
"The choir sang a famous piece about the Passion on Good Friday."
"Many paintings in the museum show scenes from the Passion of Christ."
How to use passion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA powerful emotion or enthusiasm for something, or (capitalised) the suffering of Christ before his death.
Common pairings
a passion for
burning passion
the Passion of Christ
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Word forms
- Plural
- passions
- Third person singular
- passions
- Past tense
- passioned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Cooking has been her _____ since childhood.
Etymology
From Latin passio, "suffering," from patior, "to suffer" — originally referring to enduring pain, later extended to any strong emotion.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for passion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for passion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “passion” mean?
The word “passion” means an intense feeling or enthusiasm, especially love or strong interest. In plain terms, a powerful emotion or enthusiasm for something, or (capitalised) the suffering of Christ before his death.
How do you pronounce “passion”?
“Passion” is pronounced PA-shuhn (/ˈpæʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “passion” in a sentence?
Here is “passion” used in a sentence: “Cooking has been her passion since childhood.”
What part of speech is “passion”?
“Passion” is a noun.
Where does the word “passion” come from?
The word “passion” comes from Latin. From Latin passio, "suffering," from patior, "to suffer" — originally referring to enduring pain, later extended to any strong emotion.
Is “passion” a common word?
“Passion” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “passion” have?
“Passion” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an intense feeling or enthusiasm, especially love or strong interest.
What is the difference between passion and love?
Love is a deep, steady affection or care that endures over time. Passion is a burst of intense feeling — powerful, often fiery, and highly energising. Passion can be part of romantic love, but it also drives hobbies, work and beliefs. In short, love tends to last; passion tends to burn brightly.
What is the difference between passion and obsession?
Passion is an intense, positive enthusiasm that energises you and adds meaning to life while leaving room for balance. Obsession is an unhealthy, all-consuming fixation that crowds out everything else and can feel impossible to control. Passion lifts and inspires; obsession narrows and dominates, often at the cost of wellbeing and relationships.
Is passion a positive word?
Usually, yes. Passion suggests energy, enthusiasm and deep commitment, which are admired in love, work and creativity. But it can carry a warning edge, since it also means strong emotion that overrides reason — 'a crime of passion,' or acting 'in the heat of passion.' Context decides whether it praises or cautions.
Can passion be developed, or are you just born with it?
Passion can absolutely be developed. While some interests feel instant, research suggests most passions grow through exposure, practice and small early successes that make an activity increasingly rewarding. Rather than waiting to 'find' a ready-made passion, people often build one by exploring, persisting and letting curiosity deepen into genuine commitment.
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