ardor

noun

ar·​dor ˈär-dər 

1

a

: an often restless or transitory warmth of feeling

the sudden ardors of youth

b

: extreme vigor or energy : intensity

the ardor of a true believer

c

: zeal

d

: loyalty

2

: sexual excitement

Synonyms

• ardency
• emotion
• enthusiasm
• fervency
• fervidness
• fervor
• fire
• heat
• intenseness
• intensity
• passion
• passionateness
• vehemence
• violence
• warmth
• white heat

Choose the Right Synonym for ardor

passion, fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, zeal mean intense emotion compelling action.

passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable.

gave in to his passions

fervor implies a warm and steady emotion.

read the poem aloud with great fervor

ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived.

the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded

enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity.

never showed much enthusiasm for sports

zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

preaches with fanatical zeal

Examples of ardor in a Sentence

the sudden ardors of youth

candidates for citizenship reciting the oath of allegiance to the United States with all the ardor that they could muster

Recent Examples on the Web

Killian’s reviews are brimming with genuine pleasure, and also a wonderment and ardor for the great variety of stuff on the Web site. —Oscar Schwartz, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2024

The Wu-Tang Nike Dunks have developed a severe ardor in hip-hop culture, leading to a pioneering virality in sneaker culture. —Ime Ekpo, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024

What’s positive in its passionate abstractions is the sense of three-dimensionality, of musical schemas that have the open airiness of modern architecture, the introspective ardor of thought under construction. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024

In this novel of ardor and tested fidelity, Jin, a photographer, finds her life at a standstill. —The New Yorker, 22 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ardour, borrowed from Anglo-French ardur, ardour "burning, fever, passion," borrowed from Latin ardōr-, ardor "burning, flash of light, extreme heat, mental excitement, eagerness, passion," from ardēre "to burn, be fiercely hot, be violently excited, be eager" + -ōr-, -or (earlier *-ōs-, *-ōs), abstract noun suffix — more at ardent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

ardor

noun

ar·​dor ˈärd-ər 

1

: a warmth of feeling

2

: great eagerness : zeal