passionate
gb/pˈæʃənɪt/ us/pˈæʃənɪt/
B1
English
~ 6400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
showing very strong enthusiasm
Feeling or showing very strong interest or love for something and caring about it a lot.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is passionate about [something]
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.
Synonyms
enthusiastic (Suggests high energy and excitement but not always the deep, long-term feeling that 'passionate' can have.)
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devoted (Focuses more on strong loyalty and time spent than on emotional intensity.)
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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.)
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uninterested (Means not interested at all, lacking the strong interest that 'passionate' describes.)
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apathetic (Suggests a lack of feeling or concern where passion would normally appear.)
Collocations
passionate about [something]
|passionate supporter
|passionate advocate
|passionate fan
|passionate speech
|passionate debate
Themes
emotions
|personality
|work
|hobbies
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She’s passionate about environmental justice and spends most weekends volunteering.
- He gave a passionate speech in support of the new education policy.
- 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.
- He is passionate about his job.
- My sister is passionate about cooking.
- They are passionate about helping other people.
- Our coach is passionate about the team.
adjective
B2
property
2
full of strong romantic desire
Showing very strong love or sexual feeling.
Usage pattern:
a passionate [kiss/romance/affair]
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).
Synonyms
romantic (Suggests love and affection but not always the strong physical desire that 'passionate' can imply.)
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intense (Describes strong feeling in general and needs context to show it is romantic or sexual.)
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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.)
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unemotional (Lacking strong feelings, especially in love or physical affection.)
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platonic (Describes a close relationship without romantic or sexual desire, the opposite of passionate love.)
Collocations
passionate kiss
|passionate love
|passionate affair
|passionate embrace
|passionate romance
|passionate lover
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They shared a brief but passionate kiss before he left for the airport.
- The novel tells the story of a passionate love affair that changes both their lives.
- 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.
- It is a story of passionate love.
- The movie shows a passionate romance.
- He wrote a passionate love letter to her.
- Their marriage is still very passionate after many years.
adjective
B2
property
3
showing very strong emotion
Showing or coming from very strong feelings, for example strong anger or excitement.
Usage pattern:
a passionate [argument/reaction/protest]
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.
Synonyms
heated (Often describes arguments that are loud and angry, sometimes less deep than 'passionate'.)
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fierce (Emphasizes strength and sometimes aggression more than emotional depth.)
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emotional (General word for strong feelings, without necessarily suggesting energy or intensity.)
Antonyms
calm (Lacking strong visible emotion, the opposite of a passionate reaction.)
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restrained (Shows control and holding back feelings instead of expressing them passionately.)
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mild (Weak or gentle in emotion, not strong or intense.)
Collocations
passionate argument
|passionate outburst
|passionate protest
|passionate response
|passionate defense
|passionate exchange
Themes
emotions
|social
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The debate turned into a passionate argument about immigration policy.
- There were passionate protests outside the parliament building.
- 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.
- There were passionate protests in the city.
- She gave a passionate response to his comment.
- He made a passionate defense of his ideas.
- The news started a passionate debate online.
adjective
B2
property
4
having an intensely emotional nature
Being a person who often has very strong feelings and shows them clearly.
Usage pattern:
a passionate [person/character/nature]
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.
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.)
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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.)
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cool (Emotionally distant or not easily moved, unlike a passionate person.)
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detached (Emotionally distant and not strongly involved, the opposite of being deeply emotionally engaged.)
Collocations
passionate person
|passionate nature
|passionate temperament
|passionate character
Themes
emotions
|personality
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She’s always been a passionate person, quick to laugh and quick to cry.
- His passionate nature sometimes causes trouble in a very formal workplace.
- 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.
- He has a passionate nature and shows his feelings.
- My father is calm, but my mother is passionate.
- Their son has a passionate temperament.
- Her passionate character makes life exciting.
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.