Passion: meaning, definitions and examples

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passion

 

[ ˈpæʃən ]

Context #1 | Noun

feeling

Passion is a strong and uncontrollable emotion or feeling towards something or someone. It can be described as intense enthusiasm or desire.

Synonyms

enthusiasm, intensity, zeal.

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Word Description / Examples
passion

Used to describe a very strong feeling or emotion towards something or someone, often related to love, hobbies, or career interests.

  • She has a passion for painting that she discovered in her childhood.
  • His passion for playing the guitar is evident in every performance.
enthusiasm

Refers to a lively or eager interest in something, often indicating excitement or positive anticipation.

  • The students showed great enthusiasm for the upcoming science fair.
  • Her enthusiasm for the project helped motivate the whole team.
zeal

Indicates strong eagerness or determination towards achieving a goal, often with a sense of dedication and fervor.

  • The volunteers worked with great zeal to clean up the park.
  • His zeal for justice is what makes him a great lawyer.
intensity

Describes extreme strength, focus, or concentration on an activity or emotion, often implying a high level of energy or seriousness.

  • The intensity of his training sessions is impressive.
  • She handled the situation with remarkable intensity and focus.

Examples of usage

  • I have a passion for music and spend hours practicing my guitar every day.
  • Her passion for helping others led her to volunteer at the local shelter.
  • The artist's passion for painting was evident in every brushstroke.
  • The passion in his eyes when he talked about his dreams was inspiring.
  • Passion is what drives us to pursue our goals and dreams.
Context #2 | Noun

romantic

Passion can also refer to intense romantic or sexual feelings towards someone.

Synonyms

desire, lust, romance.

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Word Description / Examples
passion

Use this word to describe strong emotions about something, whether it's love, a hobby, or an interest.

  • She has a passion for painting.
  • Their passion for each other was evident.
romance

Refers specifically to love and affection between people, often with an emotional or idealized connotation.

  • Their romance began in college.
  • She loves reading romance novels.
desire

Expresses a strong feeling of wanting something or someone.

  • He has a strong desire to travel the world.
  • Her desire for a promotion was evident.
lust

Usually refers to a strong sexual attraction, often used in a negative or morally questionable context.

  • He couldn't hide his lust for her.
  • His eyes were filled with lust.

Examples of usage

  • The couple's passion for each other was evident in the way they looked at one another.
  • The passion between them was undeniable, sparking a fiery romance.
  • He kissed her with such passion that she felt weak in the knees.
Context #3 | Noun

suffering

In a religious context, passion can refer to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

Synonyms

crucifixion, suffering.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
passion

This form is often used in religious contexts, specifically relating to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

  • The Passion of the Christ is a well-known film depicting the last hours of Jesus's life
  • Many churches read the Passion narrative during Holy Week
suffering

Commonly used to refer to the experience or state of enduring pain, distress, or hardship.

  • After the accident, he went through years of physical suffering
  • Her suffering was evident on her face
crucifixion

Refers specifically to the ancient method of execution where a person is nailed or bound to a cross. It has strong historical and religious connotations.

  • The story of the crucifixion of Jesus is central to Christian teachings
  • The painting depicted the horrors of crucifixion in vivid detail

Examples of usage

  • The Passion of the Christ is a film depicting the final hours of Jesus' life.
  • Christians around the world commemorate the Passion of Jesus during the Easter season.

Translations

Translations of the word "passion" in other languages:

🇵🇹 paixão

🇮🇳 जुनून

🇩🇪 Leidenschaft

🇮🇩 gairah

🇺🇦 пристрасть

🇵🇱 pasja

🇯🇵 情熱 (じょうねつ)

🇫🇷 passion

🇪🇸 pasión

🇹🇷 tutku

🇰🇷 열정 (열정)

🇸🇦 شغف

🇨🇿 vášeň

🇸🇰 vášeň

🇨🇳 激情 (jīqíng)

🇸🇮 strast

🇮🇸 ástríða

🇰🇿 құмарлық

🇬🇪 ვნება

🇦🇿 eşq

🇲🇽 pasión

Etymology

The word 'passion' originated from the Latin word 'passio' which means suffering or enduring. Over time, its meaning evolved to include intense emotions and desires. The concept of passion has been a central theme in literature, art, and philosophy, representing both the intensity of human emotions and the willingness to endure hardships for a cause or person.

See also: bypass, impassable, impasse, overpass, passable, passably, passage, passcode, passé, passenger, passer, passing, passingly, passionately, passive, passkey, underpass, unpassability, unpassable.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,456, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.