# passion

/ˈpæʃən/ (US) · /pˈæʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/passion
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. strong interest

noun · CEFR B1

a very strong interest in an activity or subject that you love doing.

For teachers: an intense enthusiasm or compelling desire for a particular activity, hobby, or field of study.

- His passion for cooking led him to open his own restaurant in the city.
- Her lifelong passion for marine biology was evident in the meticulous way she documented the local coral reef's health.

### 2. romantic/sexual love

noun · CEFR B2

a powerful feeling of sexual or romantic love for someone.

For teachers: intense sexual or romantic desire; a state of strong emotional attraction to another person.

- The young couple's passion for each other was obvious to everyone at the party.
- The novel explores the destructive nature of a passion that ignores social boundaries and personal responsibilities.

### 3. strong emotion

noun · CEFR B2

any very powerful emotion, like great anger or excitement.

For teachers: a state of intense emotional excitement or an outburst of strong feeling, such as rage or joy.

- He spoke with such passion that the audience was moved to tears.
- The debate was conducted with great passion, as both sides felt the environmental legislation would change their lives forever.

### 4. religious suffering

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

For teachers: the suffering of Jesus Christ during the period following the Last Supper until his crucifixion.

- The choir performed a famous musical piece about the Passion of Christ.
- The cathedral features a series of stained-glass windows depicting various scenes from the Passion.

Usage: Usually capitalized as 'the Passion' when referring to the biblical event.

## Examples

- She has a real passion for painting.
- His passion for environmental justice led him to start a local recycling program that now serves the entire city.
- While many pursue careers for financial stability, those driven by genuine passion often find that their professional satisfaction outweighs the challenges of a modest income.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.