passionate
gb/pˈæʃənɪt/ us/pˈæʃənɪt/
B1
English
~ 6400
szenvedélyes, lelkes, szenvedélyesen, forrón, heves, indulatos, heves vérmérsékletű, érzelmes
B1
1
szenvedélyes
B2
lelkes
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is passionate about [something]
She’s passionate about environmental justice and spends most weekends volunteering.
Szenvedélyesen elkötelezett a környezeti igazságosság mellett, és a legtöbb hétvégén önkénteskedik.
He gave a passionate speech in support of the new education policy.
Szenvedélyes beszédet mondott az új oktatáspolitika mellett.
My brother is a passionate fan of classic rock music.
They are passionate advocates for animal rights.
The teacher’s passionate belief in her students inspired the whole class.
Learner examples
She is passionate about music.
Szenvedélyesen szereti a zenét.
He is passionate about his job.
Szenvedélyesen szereti a munkáját.
My sister is passionate about cooking.
They are passionate about helping other people.
Our coach is passionate about the team.
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"He is passionated about…"* instead of *"He is passionate about…"*. Remember that *"passionate"* is the adjective; *"passionated"* is incorrect. Another mistake is using the wrong preposition, for example *"passionate on"* or *"passionate for"*; the most natural pattern is *"passionate about [something]"*. Learners may also confuse *"passionate"* with *"patient"*, which is unrelated in meaning.
Meaning
showing very strong enthusiasm
Collocations
passionate about [something]
|passionate supporter
|passionate advocate
|passionate fan
|passionate speech
|passionate debate
Synonyms
enthusiastic (Suggests high energy and excitement but not always the deep, long-term feeling that 'passionate' can have.)
|
devoted (Focuses more on strong loyalty and time spent than on emotional intensity.)
|
ardent (Close in meaning but sounds a bit more formal or literary than 'passionate'.)
Antonyms
indifferent (Shows no special interest or care, the opposite of strong feeling.)
|
uninterested (Means not interested at all, lacking the strong interest that 'passionate' describes.)
|
apathetic (Suggests a lack of feeling or concern where passion would normally appear.)
Themes
emotions
|personality
|work
|hobbies
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Feeling or showing very strong interest or love for something and caring about it a lot.
Having or showing very strong enthusiasm, interest, or commitment toward something.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a passionate [kiss/romance/affair]
They shared a brief but passionate kiss before he left for the airport.
Mielőtt elindult a repülőtérre, váltottak egy rövid, de szenvedélyes csókot.
The novel tells the story of a passionate love affair that changes both their lives.
A regény egy szenvedélyes szerelmi viszony történetét meséli el, amely mindkettejük életét megváltoztatja.
Their relationship was intense and passionate, but also very unstable.
She wrote him a series of passionate letters while he was overseas.
The film is about a passionate romance between two dancers.
Learner examples
They shared a passionate kiss.
Szenvedélyes csókot váltottak.
It is a story of passionate love.
Ez egy szenvedélyes szerelem története.
The movie shows a passionate romance.
He wrote a passionate love letter to her.
Their marriage is still very passionate after many years.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes overuse this sense and say *"passionate"* in situations that are only slightly romantic, where *"romantic"* or *"sweet"* would sound more natural. Also, in some cultures the sexual meaning is stronger than in English, so learners may feel it is rude in contexts where native speakers find it normal (e.g. *"a passionate kiss"* in movie reviews).
Meaning
full of strong romantic desire
Collocations
passionate kiss
|passionate love
|passionate affair
|passionate embrace
|passionate romance
|passionate lover
Synonyms
romantic (Suggests love and affection but not always the strong physical desire that 'passionate' can imply.)
|
intense (Describes strong feeling in general and needs context to show it is romantic or sexual.)
|
ardent (A slightly formal word for very loving and eager, close to this sense of 'passionate'.)
Antonyms
cold (Suggests a lack of warmth or affection in romantic or sexual situations.)
|
unemotional (Lacking strong feelings, especially in love or physical affection.)
|
platonic (Describes a close relationship without romantic or sexual desire, the opposite of passionate love.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Showing very strong love or sexual feeling.
Involving, showing, or caused by very strong romantic or sexual desire.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
a passionate [argument/reaction/protest]
The debate turned into a passionate argument about immigration policy.
A vita heves szóváltássá fajult a bevándorláspolitikáról.
There were passionate protests outside the parliament building.
Heves tiltakozások zajlottak a parlament épülete előtt.
She made a passionate defense of her colleague during the meeting.
His passionate outburst surprised everyone in the usually quiet office.
The issue sparked a passionate response on social media.
Learner examples
They had a passionate argument about politics.
Heves vitájuk volt a politikáról.
There were passionate protests in the city.
Heves tiltakozások voltak a városban.
She gave a passionate response to his comment.
He made a passionate defense of his ideas.
The news started a passionate debate online.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with simple anger and use *"angry"* where *"passionate"* would be better. *"Passionate"* suggests strong emotion in general (not always negative), while *"angry"* is only negative. Learners also sometimes use it in very small situations (e.g. *"He was passionate when he lost his pen"*), which sounds too strong for such a minor problem.
Meaning
showing very strong emotion
Collocations
passionate argument
|passionate outburst
|passionate protest
|passionate response
|passionate defense
|passionate exchange
Synonyms
heated (Often describes arguments that are loud and angry, sometimes less deep than 'passionate'.)
|
fierce (Emphasizes strength and sometimes aggression more than emotional depth.)
|
emotional (General word for strong feelings, without necessarily suggesting energy or intensity.)
Antonyms
calm (Lacking strong visible emotion, the opposite of a passionate reaction.)
|
restrained (Shows control and holding back feelings instead of expressing them passionately.)
|
mild (Weak or gentle in emotion, not strong or intense.)
Themes
emotions
|social
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Showing or coming from very strong feelings, for example strong anger or excitement.
Showing, expressing, or caused by very strong emotion such as anger, excitement, or hatred.
B2
4
Usage pattern:
a passionate [person/character/nature]
She’s always been a passionate person, quick to laugh and quick to cry.
Mindig is szenvedélyes természetű volt: könnyen nevet, és könnyen sírva fakad.
His passionate nature sometimes causes trouble in a very formal workplace.
Heves vérmérséklete néha gondot okoz egy nagyon formális munkahelyen.
The actor is known for his passionate temperament on and off the stage.
Growing up with such passionate parents made our house a noisy one.
Her friends admire her passionate character, even when it leads to intense arguments.
Learner examples
She is a very passionate person.
Nagyon szenvedélyes természetű ember.
He has a passionate nature and shows his feelings.
Szenvedélyes természetű, és kimutatja az érzéseit.
My father is calm, but my mother is passionate.
Their son has a passionate temperament.
Her passionate character makes life exciting.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with a temporary feeling and say *"I am passionate now"* when they mean they are excited in the moment. This sense usually describes long-term personality (e.g. *"She is a passionate person"*), not a short, one-time emotion.
Meaning
having an intensely emotional nature
Collocations
passionate person
|passionate nature
|passionate temperament
|passionate character
Synonyms
emotional (Suggests strong feelings, but not always the energy or drive that 'passionate' can imply.)
|
intense (Describes someone who feels and behaves with great force, not only emotionally.)
|
hot-tempered (Focuses more on anger and quickness to anger than on strong feelings in general.)
Antonyms
reserved (Describes someone who does not easily show emotions, the opposite of openly passionate.)
|
cool (Emotionally distant or not easily moved, unlike a passionate person.)
|
detached (Emotionally distant and not strongly involved, the opposite of being deeply emotionally engaged.)
Themes
emotions
|personality
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Being a person who often has very strong feelings and shows them clearly.
Having a character or nature that feels or shows strong emotions easily and intensely.
Grammar
Dictionary form
passionate
IPA
GB/pˈæʃənɪt/
US/pˈæʃənɪt/
Syllables & stress
pas - sion - ate (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pas)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: passionate
Word family
Core family
passion
noun B1
passionately
adverb B2
Negative and opposite forms
dispassionate
adjective
passionless
adjective
Advanced or less common
impassioned
adjective
dispassionately
adverb
Expressions
a passionate advocate
1/ə pˈæʃənɪt ˈædvəkɪt/
fixed phrase
very strong supporter of a cause
Someone who supports an idea or cause very strongly and with great feeling.
Examples
- She is a passionate advocate for disability rights.
- He became a passionate advocate of free public transport after experiencing poverty himself.
a passionate argument
1/ə pˈæʃənɪt ˈɑɹɡjəmənt/
fixed phrase
argument with very strong emotion
An argument where people speak with very strong feelings, often loudly and emotionally.
Examples
- They had a passionate argument about money late last night.
- The meeting turned into a passionate argument over the new policy.
a passionate kiss
1/ə pˈæʃənɪt kˈɪs/
fixed phrase
kiss with strong romantic feeling
A kiss that shows very strong romantic or sexual feeling.
Examples
- The movie ends with a long, passionate kiss.
- They shared a passionate kiss before saying goodbye at the station.
a passionate love affair
1/ə pˈæʃənɪt lˈʌv əfˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
very intense romantic relationship
A romantic relationship with very strong love and desire, often very emotional.
Examples
- The novel is about a passionate love affair that destroys a marriage.
- They had a brief but passionate love affair in their twenties.
a passionate plea
1/ə pˈæʃənɪt plˈi/
fixed phrase
very emotional serious request
A very emotional request where someone asks strongly for help or for something to change.
Examples
- The doctor made a passionate plea for more hospital funding.
- She ended her article with a passionate plea for peace.
a passionate speech
1/ə pˈæʃənɪt spˈit͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
speech with strong emotion
A talk given in public with very strong feelings and energy.
Examples
- The president gave a passionate speech on healthcare reform.
- Her passionate speech moved many people in the audience to tears.
be passionate about
1/bˈi pˈæʃənɪt əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
have very strong interest in
To care very much about something and feel very strong interest or love for it.
Examples
- She is passionate about teaching young children.
- Many young people are passionate about climate action.
- He’s really passionate about cooking and spends hours in the kitchen.