passion
gb/pˈæʃən/ us/pˈæʃən/
B1
English
~ 5000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
Strong enthusiasm or love
A very strong feeling of liking or excitement for something or someone.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has a passion for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'passion' (strong feeling) with 'fashion' (style of clothing).
Synonyms
enthusiasm (Generally refers to eager interest; may be less intense than 'passion'.)
|
devotion (Implies deep commitment, often with loyalty; less about excitement.)
Antonyms
indifference (Lack of interest or concern, the opposite of strong enthusiasm.)
Collocations
passion for music
|burning passion
|lifelong passion
|share a passion
|pursue a passion
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|arts
Examples
- She has a passion for painting that keeps her up all night.
- His passion for helping others led him to become a doctor.
- They share a passion for travel and adventure.
- Cooking is not just a job for him; it's his passion.
- Her passion for the environment inspires many young activists.
Learner examples
- I have a passion for music.
- He has a passion for football.
- She shows great passion for her work.
- My brother has a passion for reading books.
- They both have a passion for animals.
Noun
B2
state
2
Strong sexual desire
A strong feeling of wanting someone in a sexual way.
Usage pattern:
feel passion for [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'passion' in this sense in formal situations where it may be inappropriate; context is important.
Synonyms
lust (Often refers to physical desire without emotional connection; can sound more negative.)
Antonyms
frigidity (Lack of sexual desire or responsiveness.)
Collocations
sexual passion
|physical passion
|aroused by passion
|overcome by passion
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|health
Examples
- They were swept away by a sudden passion.
- The novel tells the story of forbidden passion between two lovers.
- He kissed her with an intensity driven by passion.
- Their relationship was full of both joy and passion.
Learner examples
- They felt a strong passion for each other.
- The movie showed the passion between the two characters.
- He kissed her with passion.
- There was great passion in their love story.
Noun
B2
state
3
Strong emotion causing action
A very strong feeling that makes someone act in an intense way.
Usage pattern:
act in a fit of passion
Synonyms
fervor (Intense and passionate feeling, often for a cause.)
Antonyms
calmness (State of being peaceful and without strong emotions.)
Collocations
fit of passion
|acted out of passion
|moved by passion
Themes
emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- In a fit of passion, he quit his job without thinking.
- Her speech was full of passion and conviction.
- The artist painted with great passion, pouring his soul into the work.
Learner examples
- He spoke with great passion about the problem.
- She acted in a moment of passion.
- The writer wrote with much passion.
Noun
literary
C1
event
4
Suffering and death of Jesus Christ
The story of how Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross.
Synonyms
crucifixion (Specifically refers to the execution method; 'Passion' includes all suffering before death.)
Collocations
the Passion of Christ
|Passion plays
Themes
religion
Examples
- The church staged a reenactment of the Passion during Easter.
- He studied medieval paintings depicting the Passion of Christ.
Learner examples
- We learned about the Passion in church.
- The Passion is an important story in the Bible.
- They watched a play about the Passion of Christ.
Grammar
Dictionary form
passion
IPA
GB/pˈæʃən/
US/pˈæʃən/
Syllables & stress
pas - sion (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pas)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: passion
- Plural: passion, passions
Word family
Forms
passions
noun
Core family
passionate
adjective B1
passionately
adverb B2
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
passionless
adjective
dispassionate
adjective
Advanced or less common
impassioned
adjective
dispassionately
adverb
Expressions
passion for [something]
1/pˈæʃən fɚ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Strong liking for something
To like something very much and feel excited about it.
Examples
- She has a passion for photography and spends hours taking pictures.
- His passion for history led him to become a teacher.
with passion
1/wˈɪθ pˈæʃən/
fixed phrase
Do with strong feeling or enthusiasm
To do something with great energy or strong feelings.
Examples
- She spoke with passion about protecting the environment.
- He paints with passion, bringing life to every canvas.
crime of passion
1/kɹˈaɪm əv pˈæʃən/
fixed phrase
Crime caused by strong emotion
A violent act done suddenly because of strong feelings like anger or jealousy.
Examples
- The murder was ruled a crime of passion.
- The murder was ruled a crime of passion after evidence showed it happened in a jealous rage.
- Crimes of passion often happen without planning.
- He was acquitted because the killing was considered a crime of passion.