fervour

IPA/ˈfɜːvə(r)/
IPA/ˈfɜːrvər/

fervour — noun

1. very strong and openly expressed enthusiasm or feeling about something

1.nounC1
Definition

very strong and openly expressed enthusiasm or feeling about something

Example

The crowd sang with fervour as the team walked onto the field.

with fervour for visible public enthusiasm

Nadia described the science project with fervour during the prize ceremony.

describe something with fervour

Common collocations
  • with fervour
  • speak with fervour
  • sing with fervour
  • argue with fervour
Synonyms
  • enthusiasm

    a common neutral word for eager interest; less intense than 'fervour'

  • passion

    often stronger and more personal, especially about creative work or love

  • zeal

    stresses energetic commitment and can sound more formal

Antonyms
  • apathy

    complete lack of interest or feeling

  • indifference

    calm lack of concern rather than strong emotional involvement

Grammar Patterns

with fervour

speak/sing/argue with fervour

Usage Note

Common in patterns such as 'with fervour' when someone shows strong feeling in speech, music, cheering, or argument. Distinguish from sense 2, which is more about loyal commitment to a belief or cause.

Common Mistakes

She showed fervour for her morning tea.
She really liked her morning tea.
'fervour' is too strong for a small everyday preference.

2. deep and sincere commitment to a belief, cause, or faith

2.nounC1
Definition

deep and sincere commitment to a belief, cause, or faith

Example

Religious fervour filled the square as families gathered for the festival prayer.

religious fervour for collective belief

The mayor's speech awakened new fervour for cleaner rivers in the town.

fervour for + public cause

Common collocations
  • religious fervour
  • political fervour
  • fervour for reform
  • fervour for justice
Synonyms
  • zeal

    close in meaning and often used for energetic support of a cause

  • devotion

    stresses loyal long-term commitment, often with a calmer tone

  • conviction

    focuses more on firm belief itself than on emotional heat

Antonyms
  • apathy

    lack of care about a cause or belief

  • skepticism

    doubt that weakens wholehearted belief

Grammar Patterns

fervour for + cause/ideal

religious/political fervour

Usage Note

Usually linked to religion, politics, justice, or another guiding ideal rather than a passing mood. Distinguish from sense 1, which focuses on the energy of expression rather than commitment to a cause.

Common Mistakes

The class felt fervour that the bell rang early.
The class showed fervour for the new reading campaign.
this sense needs a cause, belief, or ideal, not just a reaction to one event.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Fervour' suggests strong feeling that is easy to see or hear, especially in speeches, music, religion, or public support for an idea. 'Enthusiasm' is the broad everyday word for eager interest and is usually less intense. 'Passion' is stronger and more personal, often used for creative work, love, or a deeply loved activity. 'Zeal' is close to 'fervour' but sounds more formal and often carries a sense of energetic campaigning. 'Devotion' stresses steady loyalty over time, so it fits faithful service or lasting commitment better than a heated public display. A football crowd may sing with fervour, a student may show enthusiasm for science, and a volunteer may work with devotion for years.

fervour ↗enthusiasm ↗passion ↗zeal ↗devotion ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • speak with fervour
  • religious fervour
  • political fervour

Prepositions

  • with fervour
  • fervour for [cause/idea]

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

This word comes from Latin 'fervor', which first meant heat or boiling and then developed the figurative sense of intense feeling. It passed into English through French, and the British spelling kept the '-our' ending that many French loans developed in English. The older idea of heat still explains the modern meaning: when someone speaks or acts with fervour, the feeling seems to burn strongly.