ardor
gb/ˈɑɹdɚ/ us/ˈɑɹdɚ/
C1
English
~ 8800
lelkesedés, buzgalom, szenvedély, szerelmi szenvedély, forróság, hev
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
1
lelkesedés
B1
buzgalom
C1
Usage pattern:
ardor for [something]
She spoke with such ardor about climate justice that the audience fell silent.
Olyan lelkesedéssel beszélt az éghajlati igazságosságról, hogy a közönség elnémult.
His early ardor for the project faded after a few difficult months.
A projekt iránti kezdeti lelkesedése néhány nehéz hónap után alábbhagyott.
The volunteers attacked the cleanup effort with renewed ardor after the storm.
Political ardor was high in the streets on the eve of the election.
Over time, his professional ardor cooled and he began thinking about retirement.
Learner examples
She showed great ardor for her work.
Nagy lelkesedést mutatott a munkája iránt.
The students listened with ardor to their teacher.
A diákok nagy lelkesedéssel hallgatták a tanárukat.
His ardor for the team made him travel to every game.
Over the years, her ardor for acting slowly disappeared.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "ardor" in casual conversation where "enthusiasm" or "interest" is more natural. "Ardor" sounds formal or literary. Spelling can also be confusing: American English uses "ardor" and British English often uses "ardour".
Meaning
strong enthusiasm or passion
Collocations
religious ardor
|patriotic ardor
|revolutionary ardor
|scientific ardor
|with ardor
|lose one's ardor
Synonyms
enthusiasm (More common everyday word; slightly weaker and less formal than "ardor".)
|
passion (General word for very strong feeling or interest; "ardor" often sounds more intense and focused.)
|
zeal (Stresses energetic, sometimes overly intense effort, especially for a cause or belief.)
Antonyms
apathy (Complete lack of interest or emotion about something.)
|
indifference (Not caring or feeling either way toward something.)
Themes
emotions
|personality
|work
|politics
|core_vocabulary
|education
Definition
A very strong and excited feeling about doing something or supporting an idea.
Strong, eager, and often sustained enthusiasm or passion for an activity, cause, or pursuit.
NOUN
C1
LITERARY
2
Usage pattern:
ardor for [someone]
Their letters are full of youthful ardor and longing.
Leveleik tele vannak ifjúi szenvedéllyel és vágyakozással.
The novel describes the sudden ardor he feels for his neighbor.
A regény azt a hirtelen szenvedélyt írja le, amelyet a szomszédja iránt érez.
Years of marriage had not dimmed his ardor for her.
Her calm reply did little to cool his reckless ardor.
Learner examples
The story tells of a man's ardor for a young woman.
A történet egy férfi egy fiatal nő iránt érzett szenvedélyéről szól.
Their first summer together was full of ardor and hope.
Az első közös nyaruk tele volt szenvedéllyel és reménnyel.
He tried to hide his ardor, but his face was red.
Over time, his ardor for her became quieter but deeper.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "ardor" always means romantic or sexual feeling. In fact, it is also commonly used for strong interest in work, politics, or beliefs (see sense 1). Also, this romantic sense is mainly literary; in everyday speech, people usually say "passion" or "desire" instead.
Meaning
strong romantic or sexual passion
Collocations
youthful ardor
|romantic ardor
|sexual ardor
|the ardor of first love
|cool his ardor
|rekindle her ardor
Synonyms
passion (Very close in meaning; more common and used in both everyday and literary contexts.)
|
desire (Highlights wanting or longing; can sound less emotional and more physical than "ardor".)
|
lust (Focuses on strong sexual desire; often more physical and less romantic than "ardor".)
Antonyms
coldness (Lack of warmth or strong feeling in love or sex.)
|
frigidity (Very strong or complete lack of sexual desire or responsiveness.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|romance
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A very strong feeling of love or desire for someone.
Intense romantic or sexual passion, often marked by eagerness and emotional heat.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
3
Usage pattern:
the ardor of [something]
They crossed the plain in the full ardor of the midday sun.
Átkeltek a síkságon a déli nap tűző hevében.
The soldiers marched on despite the ardor of the desert.
A katonák a sivatag forrósága ellenére is tovább meneteltek.
We sheltered under a rock to escape the ardor of the afternoon heat.
Learner examples
We could not walk far in the ardor of the sun.
Nem tudtunk messzire gyalogolni a nap hevében.
The flowers dried in the ardor of the summer heat.
A virágok kiszáradtak a nyári forróságban.
They rested in the shade, away from the ardor of the fire.
Meaning
intense heat from fire or sun
Collocations
the ardor of the sun
|the ardor of the desert
|the ardor of noon
|the ardor of the flames
Synonyms
heat (General and very common; does not carry the literary flavor or intensity of "ardor".)
|
scorching heat (Emphasizes burning, painful heat; similar intensity without the literary tone.)
Antonyms
coolness (Pleasant lack of heat, especially in air or weather.)
Themes
nature
|weather
|literature
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very strong heat, especially from the sun or a fire.
Great physical heat, especially the fierce heat of the sun or a fire.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ardor
IPA
GB/ˈɑɹdɚ/
US/ˈɑɹdɚ/
Syllables & stress
ar - dor (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ar)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: ardor
- Plural: ardor, ardors
Word family
Expressions
cool someone's ardor
1/kˈul sˈʌmwˌʌnz ˈɑɹdɚ/
idiom
literary
reduce someone's enthusiasm or passion
To make a person feel less excited, less interested, or less in love.
Examples
- The long delay cooled their ardor for the risky investment.
- His harsh reply cooled her ardor at once.
with ardor
1/wˈɪθ ˈɑɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
in a highly enthusiastic way
In a way that shows very strong and excited feeling.
Examples
- The young lawyer defended her client with ardor.
- He threw himself into the negotiations with ardor.
- She studied with ardor, hoping to win the scholarship.