pas ‧ sion ‧ ate /ˈpæʃ ə nət, ˈpæʃ ə nɪt/ BrE AmE adjective
1 . showing or involving very strong feelings of sexual love:
He had a brief but passionate love affair with an older woman.
a very passionate young man
a passionate lover
a passionate kiss
2 . someone who has a passionate belief believes something very strongly:
a passionate supporter of women’s rights
He had a passionate belief in justice.
3 . if you are passionate about something, you like it a lot:
She developed a passionate interest in wild flowers.
passionate about
I’ve always been passionate about football.
—passionately adverb :
He kissed her passionately.
Peter is passionately involved in environmental issues.
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COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ nouns
▪ a passionate belief/conviction
We had a passionate belief in what we were doing.
▪ a passionate commitment to something
There was no doubt about his passionate commitment to peace.
▪ a passionate concern for something
She developed a passionate concern for human rights.
▪ a passionate supporter of somebody/something
President Johnson was a passionate supporter of the space programme.
▪ a passionate defender of something
The actress is a vocal and passionate defender of women's rights.
▪ a passionate speech
Senator McCarthy delivered a powerful and passionate speech.
▪ a passionate plea
She made a passionate plea for tolerance.