fervent

[fur-vuhnt]

adjective

1. having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc.; ardent.

   a fervent admirer; a fervent plea.

   Synonyms: passionate, impassioned, fervid

2. hot; burning; glowing.

fervent

/ ˈfɜːvɪd, ˈfɜːvənt /

adjective

1. intensely passionate; ardent

   a fervent desire to change society

2. archaic,  boiling, burning, or glowing

   fervent heat

Other Word Forms

• fervently adverb
• ferventness noun
• nonfervent adjective
• nonferventness noun
• overfervent adjective
• overferventness noun
• superfervent adjective
• unfervent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fervent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French or directly from Latin fervent- (stem of fervēns ) present participle of fervēre “to boil”; -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of fervent¹

C14: from Latin fervēre to boil, glow

Example Sentences

This was a show that at one point had a fervent following…now?

From Salon

Since its June release, the animated musical movie has developed fervent fans of all ages.

From Los Angeles Times

At 3-3 30-30, the umpire confirmed the American had not reached over the net - following fervent discussion between the opposing players - with Pegula and Draper using the momentum to win the opening set.

From BBC

The president’s bid for total control, coupled with his inability to stop lying as often as he draws breath, now pits him against some of his most, ahem, fervent supporters.

From Salon

The news that we only had to reach 7,000 steps was enough to quite literally stop us in our fervent step-counting stride.

From BBC

Related Words

• ardent 
• devout 
• earnest 
• ecstatic 
• emotional 
• heartfelt 
• impassioned 
• intense 
• passionate 
• pious 
• religious 
• sincere 
• vehement 
• zealous