fervent
gb/fˈɚvənt/ us/fˈɚvənt/
B2
English
~ 8300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
B2
property
1
showing strong, sincere feeling or belief
Feeling or showing very strong and honest feelings or belief about something or someone.
Usage pattern:
a fervent [supporter/believer/fan] of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'fervent' for physical temperature (e.g., 'fervent water') instead of emotional intensity. In modern English, 'fervent' is almost always about feelings, beliefs, or support. Learners may also overuse it in casual speech, where 'strong' or 'passionate' would sound more natural.
Synonyms
passionate (More common and slightly less formal; often broader, including romantic or artistic feelings.)
|
ardent (Very close in meaning and formality; often used for strong support or devotion, especially in writing.)
Antonyms
indifferent (Shows no strong interest or feeling, which contrasts with the intense emotion in 'fervent'.)
|
lukewarm (Describes weak or half-hearted support, the opposite of the strong commitment in 'fervent'.)
Collocations
fervent hope
|fervent supporter
|fervent believer
|fervent desire
|fervent prayer
|fervent wish
Themes
emotions
|politics
|religion
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She is a fervent supporter of environmental protection laws.
- His fervent belief in justice guided every decision he made as a lawyer.
- They offered a fervent prayer for the safety of the missing sailors.
- There is a fervent desire among young voters for political change.
- Despite criticism, the proposal still has a small but fervent group of fans.
Learner examples
- He is a fervent fan of that soccer team.
- She gave a fervent speech about human rights.
- My grandmother is a fervent believer in hard work.
- The students showed a fervent interest in the new project.
- We all shared a fervent hope for peace.
adjective
archaic
C2
property
2
very hot, burning (archaic)
Very hot or burning, used mostly in old writing and not in modern everyday English.
Usage pattern:
fervent [heat/sun]
Synonyms
scorching (Modern word for extremely hot; more common in everyday English than 'fervent' in this sense.)
Antonyms
cool (Describes a comfortably low temperature, opposite to the intense heat implied by 'fervent' in this archaic sense.)
Collocations
fervent heat
|fervent sun
|fervent flames
Themes
science
|weather
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- In the old text, the prophet spoke of the earth melting with fervent heat.
- They traveled for days under the fervent sun, as described in the ancient chronicle.
- The poem tells of warriors marching through fervent flames to reach their homeland.
Learner examples
- The phrase 'fervent heat' appears in some old religious books.
- In that story, people were afraid of the fervent fire.
- Writers in the past sometimes used 'fervent' to mean very hot.
Grammar
Dictionary form
fervent
IPA
GB/fˈɚvənt/
US/fˈɚvənt/
Syllables & stress
fer - vent (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (fer)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: fervent
Word family
Core family
Advanced or less common
fervency
noun
Expressions
fervent believer
1/fˈɚvənt bɪlˈivɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
person with very strong belief
Someone who believes very strongly in a religion, idea, or principle.
Examples
- He is a fervent believer in nonviolent protest.
- As a fervent believer in science, she always asks for evidence before accepting a claim.
fervent desire
1/fˈɚvənt dɪzˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
very strong desire for something
A very strong and deep wish to have or do something.
Examples
- He had a fervent desire to return to his hometown and help rebuild it.
- Her fervent desire for fairness shaped her choice of career in law.
fervent hope
1/fˈɚvənt hˈoʊp/
fixed phrase
formal
very strong and sincere hope
A very strong and honest hope that something will happen.
Examples
- It is my fervent hope that the two countries will finally reach a peace agreement.
- There is a fervent hope in the community that the missing child will be found safe.
fervent prayer
1/fˈɚvənt pɹˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
formal
prayer with intense feeling
A prayer spoken with very strong and honest emotion, usually in a serious situation.
Examples
- They offered a fervent prayer for the victims of the disaster.
- In the quiet church, her fervent prayer was for her son's recovery.
fervent supporter
1/fˈɚvənt səpˈɔɹtɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
very enthusiastic and loyal supporter
Someone who strongly and actively supports a person, idea, team, or cause.
Examples
- She is a fervent supporter of free public education.
- Fervent supporters of the candidate filled the square, waving signs and singing.
fervent wish
1/fˈɚvənt wˈɪʃ/
fixed phrase
formal
very strong and sincere wish
A very strong and honest wish for something you really want to happen.
Examples
- It is my fervent wish that you find happiness in your new life abroad.
- The letter ended with a fervent wish for continued friendship between the two families.