Skip to main content
to ignite passion

to ignite passion

1 5.0
Make someone feel very excited and interested in something
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɪɡˈnaɪt ˈpæʃən/
translation icon : despertar pasión
  • A key to igniting a passion for equity is having the opportunity to work directly with underserved students who help candidates put educational complexities in context and also serve as models of hope and resilience.

I would look for some something that ignites their passion.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • The inspiring speech ignited a passion for environmental conservation in many attendees.

  • And that really ignited my, my passion for this field of history.

  • This class has ignited my passions about the education system that weren't there before, and I feel so strongly about the issues in the classroom and education system.

    Academic text (2018)
  • Her documentary ignited passion among viewers to take action against climate change.

  • His enthusiasm for teaching ignited a passion for learning in all his students.

Synonyms

to inspire
vsto ignite passion
837 3.2

Cause someone to feel excited and ready to act

emphasizes strong enthusiasm without stressing creativity or ideas
to excite
vsto ignite passion
331 2.7

To make someone feel very happy, interested, or eager

is narrower, focusing on passionate enthusiasm specifically
to stimulate
vsto ignite passion
236 3.7

Make a person or thing more active, alert and responsive

specifically aims to produce strong enthusiastic excitement rather than general activation
to thrill
vsto ignite passion
201 2.1

To give a sudden strong feeling of excitement and pleasure

often implies lasting enthusiastic drive rather than a single pleasure spike
to heat
vsto ignite passion
138 5.9

To cause strong feelings or excitement

targets strong enthusiasm for individuals as well as groups
to fire up
vsto ignite passion
  • Informal
70 4.1

Make people feel excited and ready to act

is more about causing individual deep enthusiasm rather than group emotion
to fire
vsto ignite passion
62 4.8

To cause strong feeling or excitement in someone

focuses on creating sustained enthusiasm rather than any strong response
to arouse
vsto ignite passion
57 4.1

Cause a feeling or strong reaction in people

specifically targets strong passionate enthusiasm rather than any emotion
to ignite
vsto ignite passion
47 4.4

To cause strong feelings in someone

causes strong enthusiasm generally rather than only sudden intensity
to stoke
vsto ignite passion
45 4.6

To encourage strong feelings or interest

is the initial act of causing strong excitement rather than gradual increase
to galvanize
vsto ignite passion
39 6.7

To make people feel shocked and excited so they act

aims more at inspiring passionate interest than forcing action
to rouse
vsto ignite passion
16 5.1

To make people feel strong emotion and want to act

leans more toward positive passionate enthusiasm rather than agitation
to electrify
vsto ignite passion
14 4.1

To make people feel very excited and want to act

can describe strong enthusiasm that builds rather than arriving suddenly
to exhilarate
vsto ignite passion
12 6.9

To make someone feel very happy and full of energy

focuses more on stirring deep enthusiastic drive than pure joy
to enthuse
vsto ignite passion
7 5.5

To make someone feel excited about something

aims at deeper passionate enthusiasm rather than simple excitement
to light a fire under
vsto ignite passion
  • Informal
7 6.7

To make someone want to work harder and faster

is about causing passionate excitement rather than prompting quicker action
to intoxicate
vsto ignite passion
4 7.0

To make someone feel very excited and happy

is more narrowly about inspiring focused passionate enthusiasm rather than general joy
to get (one's) juices flowing
vsto ignite passion
  • Informal
1 7.9

To feel more energetic and creative and ready to work or think

is about causing strong enthusiasm regardless of creative activity
to enkindle
vsto ignite passion
  • Archaic
1 9.2

To make someone feel a strong emotion

aims specifically at producing strong enthusiastic excitement rather than any feeling
to set pulses racing
vsto ignite passion
  • Informal
1 6.0

To make someone feel very excited, often suddenly

may indicate building passionate interest instead of only sudden thrills
to stir someone's blood
vsto ignite passion
6.0

To make someone feel strong excitement or deep emotion

is about producing strong enthusiasm generally, not only vivid emotion
to kick up excitement
vsto ignite passion
4.4

Make people more interested and eager about something

is the act of creating deep personal passion rather than just growing interest
to jump-start motivation
vsto ignite passion
6.5

To make someone feel eager and ready to work again

is the general act of creating strong enthusiasm, not only revival after low drive
to pim
vsto ignite passion
  • Informal
9.9

Make something more lively by adding music or bright pictures

is more neutral and suits both formal and informal contexts
to get a crowd going
vsto ignite passion
  • Informal
4.8

Make an audience feel excited and cheer

is focused on inspiring strong personal enthusiasm rather than crowd energy

Antonyms

11 5.8

Make something less fun or exciting

How Passionate

to electrify
14 4.1
to ignite passion
1 5.0
to inspire
837 3.2
to interest
206 1.0

Surface Forms

ignite passion infinitive
ignited passion past participle
igniting passion present participle
ignites passion third person singular

Morphology

ignite + passion

The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: 'ignite' (to trigger or set alight, extended to 'cause') combined with 'passion' (strong enthusiasm) yields 'cause strong enthusiasm.' This verb + noun composition is a common metaphor (spark/ignite passion) across languages and follows standard English patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both words would likely understand it.

Etymology

Ignite passion uses the image of lighting a fire. A small spark can ignite dry wood and the growing flame represents strong feeling or passion. So, to ignite passion means to start a strong feeling or 'strong enthusiasm' that grows in someone.