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

For fervent powder hounds, guests of the hotel can have concierge arrange private ski tours. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2025

There was a David N. Bossie, the president of Citizens United—yes, that Citizens United, whose 2010 court case upended American democracy by allowing corporations unlimited political spending—and a fervent Trump supporter. —David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025

In this mostly fictional version, the reclusive Omara has to decide whether or not to come back from retirement and record with her old colleagues from the fervent Cuban years, thus confronting those ghosts. —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025

The man is a fervent republican and socialist, reasons very well and knows many things. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 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

Rhymes for fervent

• servant
• maidservant
• manservant
• observant

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