LESSON 16: How Wonderful! How Exciting!

Words Relating to Enthusiasm and Passion

Ardent• Ardent soccer fans never miss a

game.

• John and Sherrie’s embrace was more than a casual hug; it was an ardent show of affection.

• For their extraordinary service, the volunteers deserve ardent thanks.

Adjective

Full of passion and emotion

Avid• Walt is an avid hiker; he never

misses a chance to hit the trail. • An avid skier, Sue will drive for

hours to be where the snow is.

• For years my dad has been an avid golfer, out on the links every weekend.

Adjective

Showing enthusiasm; ardent

Ebullient• The audience became just as

enthusiastic about following the diet as the ebullient speaker was in describing it.

• His ebullience was infectious. Everyone left the room filled with excitement about the rafting trip.

• Having made a hole in one, Tiger could hardly contain his ebullience.

Adjective

Filled with a bubbly excitement, as if boiling over with excitement

Effervescent• Distressed over losing the car keys,

Beth was less effervescent than usual.

• The root beer had lost its effervescence and tasted like bad cough syrup.

• Laura is quiet and subdued, but her twin Lara epitomizes effervescence.

Adjective

Lively; full of uplifted spirit; vivacious

Exuberant• As a night owl, Amelia feels most

exuberant between ten o’clock and midnight.

• Worry and anxiety can put a damper on even the most exuberant personality.

• The next morning he leaped from bed exuberantly, anticipating the adventures of the day.

Adjective

Overflowing with vitality and good spirits

Fanatical• Richard Nixon was a fanatical

bowler. His head was filled with thoughts of strikes and spares, balls and alleys.

• Louise’s mom is fanatical about cleaning the house. She won’t let you in unless you take your shoes off.

• I don’t eat red meat, but I’m not fanatical about it.

Adjective

Full of great enthusiasm or devotion

Fervent• The minister asked her

congregation to pay fervently for the safe return of the lost child.

• He’s a fervent cat breeder. Nothing is as important to him as raising cats.

• She’s a nut for crossword puzzles, but she hasn’t always been so fervent about doing them.

Adjective

Filled with passion or intensity

Impassioned• The defense attorney made an

impassioned speech to the jury, but the jury remained unmoved by his emotional words.

• Because Tino’s impassioned words struck Maria’s heart, she agreed to marry him.

• King Henry’s impassioned speech to his troops raised their morale and contributed to their victory in battle.

Adjective

Filled with passionate emotion

Vibrant• Marilyn and Curt are an unlikely

couple. She’s so vibrant and he’s as quiet as a corpse.

• Although the bright hues clash sometimes, all of Diana’s clothes have vibrant colors.

• His vibrant teaching keeps the class lively.

Adjective

Lively; full of vitality

Zealous• A zealous bodybuilder, Derek

works out in the weight room during every spare moment.

• If everyone were as zealous a worker as Scott, there would be no need for a supervisor.

• Jorge is a zealous reader of mysteries. As soon as he finishes one book, he starts reading the next.

Adjective

Filled with enthusiasm; fervent