ardent
- Characterized by intense enthusiasm, passion, or devotion toward a person, cause, or belief.
- Archaic: burning or glowing with heat.
In a sentence
- She was an ardent supporter of environmental reform throughout her career.
- His ardent admiration for the composer led him to memorize every symphony.
Usage note. 'Ardent' implies a steady, deep passion rather than a sudden burst; prefer 'ardent' over 'fervent' when describing a long-held conviction.
Where it comes from
English ardent — “intensely passionate” · entered English 14th c.
From Latin 'ardentem' (nominative 'ardens'), the present participle of 'ardere' meaning 'to burn'. It passed through Old French 'ardant' before entering Middle English in the 14th century. The figurative sense of passionate intensity developed naturally from the literal sense of burning heat (source: Merriam-Webster, Etymonline).