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

On the cusp of his second presidency, all of us—from his most fanatical supporters to his most fervent critics—are living in the Age of Trump. —Sam Jacobs, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024

The sentiment was echoed on social media by Vice President-elect JD Vance, a fervent critic of American foreign policy overreach. —Michael Crowley, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2024

Navarro, a longtime and fervent critic of President-elect Donald Trump, expressed sympathy for Biden on The View Monday. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024

The stash of couture belonged to French socialite and businesswoman Mouna Ayoub, one of the world’s most fervent collectors of haute couture. —Miles Socha, WWD, 28 Nov. 2024

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