passionate
adjective
pas·sion·ate
ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət 
1
a
: capable of, affected by, or expressing intense feeling
a passionate performance
a passionate coach
b
: enthusiastic, ardent
is passionate about basketball
2
: swayed by or affected with sexual desire and often romantic feeling
a passionate love affair
a long, passionate kiss
3
a
: easily aroused to anger
… a passionate but not a vicious boy …—
H. E. Scudder
b
: filled with anger : angry
She was passionate in her defense of her cub, and rage transformed her.—G. D. Brown
passionateness
noun
Examples of passionate in a Sentence
He gave a passionate speech on tax reform.
She has a passionate interest in animal rights.
She is passionate about art.
We were moved by his passionate plea for forgiveness.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kepner is passionate about accountability and service journalism and encourages anyone to reach out to her to tell their story or share a tip.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 2026
Most importantly of all, the goal of an actor is to share it, have people see it and have strong, passionate feelings about it — good and sometimes bad.
—Scarlett Harris, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
But those who hold opposing views, such as suburban women, outnumber those voters and are just as passionate.
—Paul Miller, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
For example, this can look like relationships leveling up, power couples forming or passionate productivity sparking in professional or goal-oriented settings.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for passionate
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Cite this Entry
“Passionate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passionate. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Kids Definition
passionate
adjective
pas·sion·ate
ˈpash-(ə-)nət
1
: excited or easily excited to strong feeling
2
: showing or expressing strong feeling
3
: strongly affected with sexual desire
passionately
adverb
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