passion

passion — noun

1. an emotion that takes hold of you strongly, such as desire, deep love, or fierce

1.nounB2
Definition

an emotion that takes hold of you strongly, such as desire, deep love, or fierce anger

Example

The crowd's passion filled the stadium before the final song.

abstract noun as subject

A sudden passion made Leo kiss Hana at the station.

Common collocations
  • in a passion
  • with passion
  • crime of passion
  • burst of passion
Synonyms
  • emotion

    a broader word for any feeling, not always this intense

  • desire

    focuses more on wanting, often in a sexual or ambitious way

  • fervor

    more formal and often used for public, religious, or political feeling

Antonyms
  • calm

    suggests control and the absence of strong emotional force

  • indifference

    means lack of feeling or concern

Grammar Patterns

feel passion

with passion

in a passion

Usage Note

Usually uncountable. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about a favourite activity or subject, and from sense 3, which is mainly plural and often suggests feelings that are hard to control.

Common Mistakes

She felt very passion when she saw him.
She felt great passion when she saw him.' / 'She felt very passionate when she saw him.
The noun is 'passion'; after 'felt very' you need the adjective 'passionate'.

2. something you care about so strongly that you give it a lot of time and energy

2.nounC1
Definition

something you care about so strongly that you give it a lot of time and energy

Example

Since college, Amir has had a passion for street photography.

a passion for + noun

Teaching girls to code became Nora's passion after one summer camp.

Common collocations
  • a passion for music
  • lifelong passion
  • real passion
  • follow your passion
Synonyms
  • enthusiasm

    a common word for eager interest, often a little less deep or lasting

  • devotion

    stresses loyal commitment, especially over time

  • obsession

    stronger and more negative, suggesting unhealthy focus

Antonyms
  • indifference

    shows little interest or emotional investment

  • boredom

    suggests the activity does not hold your attention

Grammar Patterns

a passion for + noun

a passion for + -ing

something is someone's passion

Usage Note

Often used in the pattern 'a passion for ...'. Unlike sense 1, it usually names a lasting interest rather than a sudden emotion.

Common Mistakes

Mia has passion in dance.
Mia has a passion for dance.
This sense usually takes 'a passion for ...', not 'passion in'.

3. strong feelings, especially anger or sexual desire, that can be difficult to con

3.nounC1
Definition

strong feelings, especially anger or sexual desire, that can be difficult to control

Example

The speech stirred old passions in the village after the land fight.

stir passions

Jealousy and wounded pride drove his passions out of control.

Common collocations
  • stir passions
  • arouse passions
  • violent passions
  • control your passions
Synonyms
  • impulses

    stresses sudden inner drives rather than broad emotional states

  • urges

    focuses on strong wants, often physical or emotional

  • emotions

    broader and more neutral than this often uncontrolled sense

Antonyms
  • self-control

    emphasizes keeping your feelings under control

  • restraint

    focuses on deliberate control over strong feelings

Grammar Patterns

stir passions

arouse passions

control your passions

Usage Note

Usually appears as the plural passions, especially in literary, historical, or formal writing. Distinguish from sense 1, which can describe one strong feeling without suggesting loss of control.

Common Mistakes

The crowd's passion were high.
The crowd's passions were running high.
This sense is usually plural when it means uncontrollable strong feelings.

4. the part of the Christian story where Jesus suffers and dies

4.noun
Definition

the part of the Christian story where Jesus suffers and dies

Example

The church choir sang about the Passion on Good Friday.

the Passion

A wooden painting of the Passion hung above the stone altar.

Common collocations
  • the Passion of Christ
  • Christ's Passion
  • Passion play
  • Good Friday Passion
Synonyms
  • Crucifixion

    focuses more narrowly on Jesus's death on the cross

  • suffering

    a much broader word that does not by itself identify this Christian event

Grammar Patterns

the Passion

the Passion of Christ

Christ's Passion

Usage Note

Usually written as the Passion or Christ's Passion when referring to this Christian meaning. Common around church history, art, and Easter services.

Common Mistakes

We studied the passion of Christ.
We studied the Passion of Christ.
This religious sense is usually capitalized.
Idioms

with a passion

idiom

if you love, hate, or want something with a passion, you feel that very strongly

Nina hates early flights with a passion and never books them.

Marco loved jazz with a passion after hearing his grandfather play.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These words all relate to what people feel inside, but they differ in strength and focus. 'Feeling' is the broad everyday word and can be mild or strong. 'Emotion' is slightly more formal and often names the general category rather than one powerful case. 'Desire' centers on wanting something, sometimes sexually, sometimes for power or success. 'Fervor' is more formal and often appears in religion, politics, or public speech. 'Passion' suggests a feeling so strong that it shapes speech, action, or judgment, and it can be loving, angry, or sexual. You can say 'She spoke with passion about her students', but 'with feeling' is softer. 'His desire for power' stresses wanting; 'his passion for power' sounds more consuming.

passion ↗feeling ↗emotion ↗desire ↗fervor

Etymology

LatinLate LatinAnglo-FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word reached English through French forms that came from Late Latin 'passio', built from Latin 'pati', meaning 'to suffer'. It first referred mainly to suffering, especially the suffering of Christ. Later, the meaning widened to include very strong human emotions and then a deep love for an activity or subject.