First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
fervent
adjective fer·vent \ˈfər-vənt\
: felt very strongly : having or showing very strong feelings
Full Definition of FERVENT
1
: very hot : glowing
2
: exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling : zealous <fervent prayers>
— fer·vent·ly adverb
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Origin of FERVENT
Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin fervent-, fervens, present participle of fervēre to boil, froth — more at barm
Related to FERVENT
- 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, on fire
- Antonyms
- cold, cool, dispassionate, emotionless, impassive, unemotional
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
Rhymes with FERVENT
FERVENT Defined for Kids
fervent
adjective fer·vent \ˈfər-vənt\
Definition of FERVENT for Kids
: felt very strongly <fervent gratitude>
— fer·vent·ly adverb
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