adjective
fervent
FUR-vunt/ˈfɜːrvənt/
Showing strong, sincere feeling or enthusiasm.
The volunteer makes a fervent appeal for the environment.
Etymology
The pieces originally described something boiling, hot, or glowing. That physical heat became an image for emotional intensity, giving fervent its sense of deeply felt, passionate expression.
In context
I have described myself as always having been imbued with a fervent longing to penetrate the secrets of nature
More examples
- His fervent appeal moved several listeners.
- The crowd shared a fervent hope for peace.
- He offered a fervent defense of his friend.
Forms
fervent · more fervent · most fervent
Similar words
- ardent
- Ardent and fervent both mean intensely enthusiastic; fervent often stresses sincerity of feeling.
- passionate
- Passionate is intensely emotional; fervent often implies earnest conviction.