fervent

adjective

fer·​vent ˈfər-vənt 

1

: very hot : glowing

the fervent sun

2

: exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling : zealous

fervent prayers

a fervent proponent

fervent patriotism

fervently adverb

Synonyms

• ardent
• blazing
• burning
• charged
• demonstrative
• emotional
• fervid
• feverish
• fiery
• flaming
• glowing
• hot-blooded
• impassioned
• incandescent
• intense
• passional
• passionate
• perfervid
• red-hot
• religious
• superheated
• torrid
• vehement
• warm
• warm-blooded

Choose the Right Synonym for fervent

impassioned, passionate, ardent, fervent, fervid, perfervid mean showing intense feeling.

impassioned implies warmth and intensity without violence and suggests fluent verbal expression.

an impassioned plea for justice

passionate implies great vehemence and often violence and wasteful diffusion of emotion.

a passionate denunciation

ardent implies an intense degree of zeal, devotion, or enthusiasm.

an ardent supporter of human rights

fervent stresses sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth or zeal.

fervent good wishes

fervid suggests warmly and spontaneously and often feverishly expressed emotion.

fervid love letters

perfervid implies the expression of exaggerated or overwrought feelings.

perfervid expressions of patriotism

Examples of fervent in a Sentence

a fervent speech that called for tolerance and compassion for those who are different

in the thick, fervent air of a tropical afternoon, a languor set in

Recent Examples on the Web

His fervent dedication to mastering the physical demands of Alonzo, with some help from a stand-in without arms, Paul Desmuke, left an impression on colleagues as well as audiences. —Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025

Naked dresses, for all the fervent discussion, can be surprisingly modest. —Oscar Holland, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025

While the desire to rebuild may be fervent, the logistics surrounding the placement of homes, what they're constructed of and the reality of living on potentially uninsurable land could hamper efforts, the experts said. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 17 Jan. 2025

These values were what his character was all about and his fervent hope was that others would share those values in pursuing a better America. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin fervent-, fervens, present participle of fervēre to boil, froth — more at barm

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fervent

adjective

fer·​vent ˈfər-vənt 

: having or expressing great warmth or depth of feeling

a fervent hope

fervency

-vən-sē

noun

fervently adverb