ardor

noun

ar·​dor ˈär-dər 

1

a

: an often restless or transitory warmth of feeling

the sudden ardors of youth

b

: extreme vigor or energy : intensity

the ardor of a true believer

c

: zeal

d

: loyalty

2

: sexual excitement

Synonyms

• ardency
• emotion
• enthusiasm
• fervency
• fervidness
• fervor
• fire
• heat
• intenseness
• intensity
• passion
• passionateness
• vehemence
• violence
• warmth
• white heat

Choose the Right Synonym for ardor

passion, fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, zeal mean intense emotion compelling action.

passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

gave in to his passions

fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.

the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded

enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

never showed much enthusiasm for sports

zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

preaches with fanatical zeal

Examples of ardor in a Sentence

the sudden ardors of youth

candidates for citizenship reciting the oath of allegiance to the United States with all the ardor that they could muster

Recent Examples on the Web

But any non-cynic can’t help but be swept up in its doomed ardor. 54. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025

With the exception of the loving, loyal Nasha, whom Ackie invests with romantic ardor and action-hero intensity, Mickey’s fellow-travellers prove a rotten lot. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025

Ahmir Thompson, the director better known as Questlove, proceeds with more care — with ardor even — than that series, which ran for about 17 years on VH1 and developed a formula that itself became an addictive experience. —Wesley Morris, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025

Fearful of looking like bullies, Democrats by and large lost their ardor to block his confirmation. —Michael Isikoff, airmail.news, 25 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ardour, borrowed from Anglo-French ardur, ardour "burning, fever, passion," borrowed from Latin ardōr-, ardor "burning, flash of light, extreme heat, mental excitement, eagerness, passion," from ardēre "to burn, be fiercely hot, be violently excited, be eager" + -ōr-, -or (earlier *-ōs-, *-ōs), abstract noun suffix — more at ardent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for ardor

• carder
• harder
• larder
• retarder

Kids Definition

ardor

noun

ar·​dor ˈärd-ər 

1

: a warmth of feeling

2

: great eagerness : zeal