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Thursday, October 8, 2026

ardor

/ɑrdɔr/ noun · British & US
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What does ardor mean?

Ardor is a noun that refers to a strong and genuine enthusiasm or excitement, often accompanied by a desire to achieve or accomplish something. It is commonly used to describe a person's feelings or actions, and is often associated with a sense of excitement and energy. The word has Latin roots and has been used in English since the 15th century. In formal and informal contexts, ardor is used to describe a range of emotions and actions, from speaking with enthusiasm to showing a strong interest in a particular activity. The word is often associated with a sense of passion and zeal, and is commonly used in descriptions of people, events, and experiences. Overall, ardor is a useful word for describing strong emotions and actions, and is an important part of the English language.

noun

A feeling of great enthusiasm and excitement, often accompanied by a strong desire to achieve or accomplish something.

Senses
  1. A feeling of great enthusiasm and excitement, often accompanied by a strong desire to achieve or accomplish something.
Example

"She spoke with ardor about her plans to travel the world."

More examples

"She spoke with ardor about her plans to travel the world."

"The crowd's ardor for the concert was palpable."

Plural ardors

The plural form of ardor is used to describe multiple instances of the feeling or emotion, and is commonly used in formal and informal contexts.

Example

"The crowd's ardors for the concert were palpable."

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Etymology of ardor

The word ardor has its roots in Latin, where it was used to describe a strong and genuine enthusiasm. The Latin word 'ardor' is derived from the verb 'ardere', which means 'to burn' or 'to glow'. This verb is thought to be related to the Latin word 'ardere', which means 'to be on fire' or 'to be passionate'. The word ardor was borrowed into Old French as 'ardor', and from there it was borrowed into Middle English as 'ardour'. The word has been used in English since the 15th century, and has retained its original meaning of a strong and genuine enthusiasm.

How ardor is actually used

Ardor is often used to describe a strong and genuine enthusiasm, and is commonly used in formal and informal contexts. It can be used to describe a person's feelings or actions, and is often associated with a sense of excitement and energy.

What's another word for ardor?

What's the opposite of ardor?

Rhymes with ardor