noun

fervor

/ˈfɜːrvər/ · say it: FUR·vuhr

intense and passionate feeling

In Emotions & Moods

In more detail

1. (noun) intense and passionate feeling or enthusiasm about something

2. (noun) great heat or warmth (archaic)

Examples

1. She pursued her career with fervor, working long hours every day.
2. The fervor of the sun made it impossible to stay outside at midday.

How to use fervor

Fervor denotes intense, burning enthusiasm or passion, often with an emotional or ideological edge. It is stronger and more earnest than mere enthusiasm, and is frequently used in religious, political, or artistic contexts. Unlike zeal, which emphasizes dedicated effort, fervor emphasizes the depth and heat of feeling.

Common phrases

religious fervor
fervor for something
with fervor
revolutionary fervor
fervor of youth

Synonyms

passion · zeal · enthusiasm · ardor · intensity

Opposites

apathy · indifference · lethargy

Word family

fervent (adjective) · fervently (adverb) · fervid (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse fervor with fever; fervor relates to passion and enthusiasm, while fever is a medical condition involving elevated body temperature.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD