ardor

/ˈɑrdər/

/ˈɑdə/

Other forms: ardors

Are you inspired to write love poems to your crush? Sprinkle rose petals in her path? Then you're feeling ardor — an intense kind of warmth and fervor most often associated with love.

The Brits spell ardor with an extra vowel, so you'll often see this word written as ardour. But on either side of the pond it's a noun that brings to mind Pepe Le Pew and his fervent pursuit of the female species. But ardor isn't always about love. It's perfectly platonic to be "an ardent supporter" of a certain cause, or show eagerness and ardor in your approach to anything.

Definitions of ardor

1. noun

   feelings of great warmth and intensity
   “he spoke with great ardor”

   synonyms: ardour, fervency, fervidness, fervor, fervour, fire

   types:

   zeal

   excessive fervor to do something or accomplish some end

   type of:

   passion, passionateness

   a strong feeling or emotion
2. noun

   a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
   “they were imbued with a revolutionary ardor”

   synonyms: ardour, elan, zeal

   type of:

   avidity, avidness, eagerness, keenness

   a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something
3. noun

   intense feeling of love
   synonyms: ardour

   type of:

   love

   a strong positive emotion of regard and affection