Desire vs. Passion: What's the Difference?
By Janet White & Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 22, 2024
Desire is a strong feeling of wanting something, while passion is an intense emotion or enthusiasm for something or someone.
Key Differences
Desire refers to a strong feeling of wanting or wishing for something to happen. It can be directed towards tangible objects, experiences, or goals. For example, one might have a desire for a new job, a vacation, or a particular lifestyle. Passion, on the other hand, is a more intense and enduring emotion. It involves a deep enthusiasm or fervor for an activity, cause, or person. Passion often implies a strong, almost uncontrollable drive that goes beyond mere wanting. For example, someone might have a passion for music, art, or a romantic partner. This intensity can fuel sustained effort and commitment over time.
While desire can be seen as a component of passion, passion is characterized by its depth and the energy it brings to actions and pursuits. Desire might inspire someone to start learning a new skill, whereas passion will keep them dedicated and motivated through challenges and setbacks.
Desire is often more self-centered, focusing on fulfilling one's own wishes and needs. Passion, however, can be both self-centered and altruistic, driving people to pursue goals that benefit others or contribute to a greater cause.
Desires can lead to actions that fulfill short-term goals or satisfy immediate cravings. Passion, by contrast, often leads to long-term commitments and significant achievements, as it provides the emotional fuel needed to persist and excel.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Strong feeling of wanting something
Intense emotion or enthusiasm
ADVERTISEMENT
Intensity
Varies, can be fleeting or persistent
Deep, enduring, and intense
Focus
Objects, experiences, goals
Activities, causes, people
Duration
Can be short-term
Usually long-term
Motivation
Fulfillment of personal wishes
Deep enthusiasm, often driving sustained effort
Emotional Depth
Often less intense
Highly intense and compelling
ADVERTISEMENT
Desire and Passion Definitions
Desire
A strong feeling of wanting something.
She felt a desire for a piece of chocolate cake.
Passion
A powerful drive or motivation.
The passion he had for his work inspired his colleagues.
Desire
A wish or longing for something.
His desire to travel the world grew stronger each day.
Passion
An ardent love or affection.
Their passion for each other never waned.
Desire
A strong inclination towards something.
He had a desire to improve his skills.
Passion
Strong or powerful emotion
A crime of passion.
Desire
To wish or long for; want
A reporter who desires an interview.
A teen who desires to travel.
Passion
A powerful emotion, such as anger or joy
A spirit governed by intense passions.
Desire
To express a wish for; request.
Passion
The object of such desire or love
She became his passion.
Desire
The feeling of wanting to have something or wishing that something will happen.
Passion
Boundless enthusiasm
His skills as a player don't quite match his passion for the game.
Desire
An instance of this feeling
She had a lifelong desire to visit China.
Passion
The object of such enthusiasm
Soccer is her passion.
Desire
An object of such feeling or passion
A quiet evening with you is my only desire.
Passion
An abandoned display of emotion, especially of anger
He's been known to fly into a passion without warning.
Desire
(Archaic) A request or petition.
Passion
The sufferings of Jesus in the period following the Last Supper and including the Crucifixion, as related in the New Testament.
Desire
To want; to wish for earnestly.
I desire to speak with you.
Passion
A narrative, musical setting, or pictorial representation of Jesus's sufferings.
Desire
To put a request to (someone); to entreat.
Passion
Martyrdom
The passion of Saint Margaret.
Desire
To express a wish for; to entreat; to request.
Passion
A true desire sustained or prolonged.
Desire
To require; to demand; to claim.
Passion
Any great, strong, powerful emotion, especially romantic love or extreme hate.
We share a passion for books.
Desire
To miss; to regret.
Passion
Fervor, determination.
Desire
(countable) Someone or something wished for.
It is my desire to speak with you.
You’re my heart’s desire.
Passion
An object of passionate or romantic love or strong romantic interest.
It started as a hobby, but now my motorbike collection has become my passion.
Desire
(uncountable) The feeling of desiring; an eager longing for something.
Too much desire can seriously affect one’s judgment.
Passion
The suffering of Jesus leading up to and during his crucifixion.
Desire
(uncountable) Motivation. en
Passion
A display, musical composition, or play meant to commemorate the suffering of Jesus.
Desire
To long for; to wish for earnestly; to covet.
Neither shall any man desire thy land.
Ye desire your child to live.
Passion
(obsolete) Suffering or enduring of imposed or inflicted pain; any suffering or distress.
A cardiac passion
Desire
To express a wish for; to entreat; to request.
Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord?
Desire him to go in; trouble him no more.
Passion
(obsolete) The state of being acted upon; subjection to an external agent or influence; a passive condition
Desire
To require; to demand; to claim.
A doleful case desires a doleful song.
Passion
(obsolete) The capacity of being affected by external agents; susceptibility of impressions from external agents.
Desire
To miss; to regret.
She shall be pleasant while she lives, and desired when she dies.
Passion
(obsolete) An innate attribute, property, or quality of a thing.
[...] to obtain the knowledge of some passion of the circle.
Desire
The natural longing that is excited by the enjoyment or the thought of any good, and impels to action or effort its continuance or possession; an eager wish to obtain or enjoy.
Unspeakable desire to see and know.
Passion
(obsolete) Disorder of the mind; madness.
Desire
An expressed wish; a request; petition.
And slowly was my mother broughtTo yield consent to my desire.
Passion
(obsolete) To suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated.
Desire
Anything which is desired; an object of longing.
The Desire of all nations shall come.
Passion
(transitive) To give a passionate character to.
Desire
Excessive or morbid longing; lust; appetite.
Passion
A suffering or enduring of imposed or inflicted pain; any suffering or distress (as, a cardiac passion); specifically, the suffering of Christ between the time of the last supper and his death, esp. in the garden upon the cross.
To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs.
Desire
Grief; regret.
Passion
The state of being acted upon; subjection to an external agent or influence; a passive condition; - opposed to action.
A body at rest affords us no idea of any active power to move, and, when set in motion, it is rather a passion than an action in it.
Desire
The feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
Passion
Capacity of being affected by external agents; susceptibility of impressions from external agents.
Moldable and not moldable, scissible and not scissible, and many other passions of matter.
Desire
An inclination to want things;
A man of many desires
Passion
The state of the mind when it is powerfully acted upon and influenced by something external to itself; the state of any particular faculty which, under such conditions, becomes extremely sensitive or uncontrollably excited; any emotion or sentiment (specifically, love or anger) in a state of abnormal or controlling activity; an extreme or inordinate desire; also, the capacity or susceptibility of being so affected; as, to be in a passion; the passions of love, hate, jealously, wrath, ambition, avarice, fear, etc.; a passion for war, or for drink; an orator should have passion as well as rhetorical skill.
We also are men of like passions with you.
The nature of the human mind can not be sufficiently understood, without considering the affections and passions, or those modifications or actions of the mind consequent upon the apprehension of certain objects or events in which the mind generally conceives good or evil.
The term passion, and its adverb passionately, often express a very strong predilection for any pursuit, or object of taste - a kind of enthusiastic fondness for anything.
The bravery of his grief did put meInto a towering passion.
The ruling passion, be it what it will,The ruling passion conquers reason still.
Who walked in every path of human life,Felt every passion.
When statesmen are ruled by faction and interest, they can have no passion for the glory of their country.
Desire
Something that is desired
Passion
Disorder of the mind; madness.
Desire
Feel or have a desire for; want strongly;
I want to go home now
I want my own room
Passion
Passion week. See Passion week, below.
Desire
Expect and wish;
I trust you will behave better from now on
I hope she understands that she cannot expect a raise
Passion
To give a passionate character to.
Desire
Express a desire for
Passion
To suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated.
Desire
A craving or yearning.
The desire to succeed motivated her to study hard.
Passion
Strong feeling or emotion
Desire
A feeling that prompts action.
Her desire for knowledge led her to read extensively.
Passion
Intense passion or emotion
Passion
Something that is desired intensely;
His rage for fame destroyed him
Passion
An irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action
Passion
Any object of warm affection or devotion;
The theater was her first love
He has a passion for cock fighting
Passion
The suffering of Jesus at the crucifixion
Passion
An intense emotion or enthusiasm.
His passion for music was evident in every performance.
Passion
A fervent interest or devotion.
She pursued her passion for painting despite the challenges.
Passion
A compelling enthusiasm that sustains effort.
Passion for social justice fueled her activism.
FAQs
How does desire differ from passion?
Desire is a strong want or wish, while passion is a deeper, more intense and enduring emotion.
What is passion?
Passion is an intense emotion or enthusiasm for something or someone.
What is desire?
Desire is a strong feeling of wanting something or wishing for something to happen.
Can passion sustain long-term efforts?
Yes, passion often drives sustained effort and commitment.
Is passion always intense?
Yes, passion is characterized by its deep intensity and enduring nature.
Is desire self-centered?
Desire often focuses on personal fulfillment and needs.
Can desire lead to action?
Yes, desire can motivate actions to fulfill personal wishes or needs.
Is desire always short-term?
Desire can be short-term or long-term, depending on its intensity and the object of desire.
Can passion lead to significant achievements?
Yes, passion often leads to significant achievements due to sustained effort and commitment.
Can someone have both desire and passion?
Yes, desire can be a component of passion, and both can coexist.
Does desire involve intense emotion?
Desire involves strong feelings but usually less intense than passion.
What fuels passion?
Passion is fueled by a deep enthusiasm and emotional connection to an activity, cause, or person.
Can passion be altruistic?
Yes, passion can drive individuals to pursue goals that benefit others.
What motivates desire?
Desire is motivated by the wish to fulfill personal wants or needs.
Can desire be fleeting?
Yes, desire can be fleeting or persistent.
Is passion usually long-lasting?
Yes, passion is typically long-lasting and enduring.
Can desire inspire learning?
Yes, desire can inspire someone to start learning a new skill or pursue a goal.
Does passion require intense emotion?
Yes, passion is marked by intense and compelling emotions.
Can desire be for tangible objects?
Yes, desire can be directed towards tangible objects, experiences, or goals.
Can passion drive social change?
Yes, passion for a cause can inspire activism and drive social change.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Co-written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
