What does passional mean?
Passional is a formal adjective describing language, behavior, artistic expression, or emotional response that is intensely felt and strongly expressed. Its closest everyday equivalent is passionate, but passional often lends a more literary or elevated tone and can emphasize the emotional force of an expression rather than the character of the person experiencing it. The word is sometimes found in discussions of art, music, literature, and religious devotion. In Christian usage, passional may relate to the Passion of Christ, especially his suffering and death. Although understood in standard British and American English, passional is relatively uncommon in everyday speech; passionate is normally preferred when simplicity or familiarity matters. The adjective passionally, meaning “in a passionate manner,” is also possible but rare. The word belongs to the same Latin-derived family as passion, compassion, and impassioned, reflecting its long connection with suffering, feeling, and strongly held beliefs.
adjectiveCharacterized by or expressive of strong emotion and ardor. In religious contexts, it can also mean relating to the Passion of Christ.
- Characterized by strong emotion, ardor, or passionate feeling.
- Relating to the Passion of Christ, especially in a religious or devotional context.
"The soprano's passional delivery transformed the restrained aria into a dramatic declaration of love."
"Her passional response to the discrimination brought many people to the defense."
"The painting's passional use of color and movement conveys spiritual devotion."
Less everyday than passionate, passional preserves an older emphasis on emotion as an expressive force, especially in art, literature, and religious devotion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does passional come from?
The word comes through Medieval Latin passionalis, an adjective formed from Latin passio, meaning “suffering” or “strong feeling.” It entered English in a religious and literary context before becoming associated more broadly with intense emotion and passionate expression. Its relatives include the English nouns passion and compassion and the adjective impassioned, all of which reflect the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How passional is actually used
Chiefly formal, literary, religious, or critical in tone. It is less common than passionate and can sound heightened or old-fashioned in ordinary conversation.
Easily confused with passional
Passionate is the common modern adjective for someone or something intensely emotional, enthusiastic, or romantic, whereas passional is a rarer, more formal and literary equivalent.