Love vs. Passion: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Published on November 15, 2023
"Love" is a deep, enduring affection towards someone or something, while "Passion" is an intense or fervent emotion, often temporary in nature.
Key Differences
"Love" and "Passion" are emotions that humans frequently experience, but they operate on different scales and durations.
"Love" is an emotion that denotes a deep bond, attachment, or affection towards someone or something. It's a feeling that often grows over time, strengthening connections and fostering mutual understanding. "Passion," on the other hand, signifies intense, powerful emotions that can surge quickly and might be directed towards a person, activity, or idea.
While "Love" suggests stability, commitment, and long-term care, "Passion" can be volatile, fleeting, and sometimes overwhelming.
Furthermore, "Love" often involves feelings of security and comfort, while "Passion" can generate excitement and zeal. Interestingly, in relationships, the two can intertwine, with "Passion" sometimes leading to deeper "Love" or "Love" rekindling lost "Passion."
Comparison Chart
Nature
Deep, enduring affection
Intense, fervent emotion
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Duration
Typically long-term
Can be short-lived or fleeting
Focus
Attachment, bond, care
Zeal, enthusiasm, excitement
Stability
Often steady and comforting
Can be volatile or overwhelming
Application
Directed towards people, concepts, or activities
Often towards activities, ideas, or interests
Love and Passion Definitions
Love
A strong feeling of affection and concern toward another person, as that arising from kinship or close friendship.
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Passion
A fervent emotion or set of emotions.
Their passion for each other was undeniable.
Love
A feeling of devotion or adoration toward God or a god.
Passion
The object of an intense desire, ardent affection, or enthusiasm.
Traveling has always been her true passion.
Love
A feeling of kindness or concern by God or a god toward humans.
Passion
Strong or powerful emotion
A crime of passion.
Love
Often Love(Christianity) Charity.
Passion
A powerful emotion, such as anger or joy
A spirit governed by intense passions.
Love
An instance of being in love
Teenage loves can be as fleeting as they are intense.
Passion
The object of such desire or love
She became his passion.
Love
A person for whom one has strong feelings of affection
She met her new love at the restaurant.
Passion
Boundless enthusiasm
His skills as a player don't quite match his passion for the game.
Love
Used as a term of endearment for such a person.
Passion
The object of such enthusiasm
Soccer is her passion.
Love
An intense emotional attachment to something, as to a pet or treasured object.
Passion
An abandoned display of emotion, especially of anger
He's been known to fly into a passion without warning.
Love
An expression of one's affection
Send him my love.
Passion
The sufferings of Jesus in the period following the Last Supper and including the Crucifixion, as related in the New Testament.
Love
A strong predilection or enthusiasm
A love of language.
Love for the game of golf.
Passion
A narrative, musical setting, or pictorial representation of Jesus's sufferings.
Love
The object of such an enthusiasm
The outdoors is her greatest love.
Passion
Martyrdom
The passion of Saint Margaret.
Love
Love(Mythology) Eros or Cupid.
Passion
A true desire sustained or prolonged.
Love
(Sports) A score of zero, as in tennis.
Passion
Any great, strong, powerful emotion, especially romantic love or extreme hate.
We share a passion for books.
Love
To feel love for (a person)
We love our parents. I love my friends.
Passion
Fervor, determination.
Love
To feel devotion to (God or a god).
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.
Love
To feel or show kindness or concern to (a person). Used of God or a god.
Passion
The suffering of Jesus leading up to and during his crucifixion.
Love
To have an intense emotional attachment to
Loves his house.
Passion
A display, musical composition, or play meant to commemorate the suffering of Jesus.
Love
To embrace or caress
They were loving each other on the sofa.
Passion
(obsolete) Suffering or enduring of imposed or inflicted pain; any suffering or distress.
A cardiac passion
Love
To like or desire enthusiastically
Loves swimming.
Passion
(obsolete) The state of being acted upon; subjection to an external agent or influence; a passive condition
Love
To thrive on; need
The cactus loves hot, dry air.
Passion
(obsolete) The capacity of being affected by external agents; susceptibility of impressions from external agents.
Love
(uncountable) A deep caring for the existence of another.
Passion
(obsolete) An innate attribute, property, or quality of a thing.
[...] to obtain the knowledge of some passion of the circle.
Love
(uncountable) Strong affection.
Passion
(obsolete) Disorder of the mind; madness.
Love
A profound and caring affection towards someone.
A mother’s love is not easily shaken.
My husband’s love is the most important thing in my life.
Passion
(obsolete) To suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated.
Love
Affectionate, benevolent concern or care for other people or beings, and for their well-being.
Passion
(transitive) To give a passionate character to.
Love
A feeling of intense attraction towards someone.
I have never been in love as much as I have with you.
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.
Love
A deep or abiding liking for something; an enthusiasm for something.
My love of cricket knows no bounds.
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.
Love
(countable) A person who is the object of romantic feelings; a darling, a sweetheart, a beloved.
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.
Love
A term of friendly address, regardless of feelings.
Hello love, how can I help you?
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.
Love
A thing, activity, etc. which is the object of one's deep liking or enthusiasm.
Passion
Disorder of the mind; madness.
Love
An instance or episode of being in love; a love affair.
Passion
Passion week. See Passion week, below.
Love
Used as the closing, before the signature, of a letter, especially between good friends or family members, or by the young.
Passion
To give a passionate character to.
Love
.
Passion
To suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be extremely agitated.
Love
(obsolete) A thin silk material.
Passion
Strong feeling or emotion
Love
A climbing plant, Clematis vitalba.
Passion
Intense passion or emotion
Love
Zero, no score.
So that’s fifteen-love to Kournikova.
Passion
Something that is desired intensely;
His rage for fame destroyed him
Love
Nothing; no recompense.
Passion
An irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action
Love
To have a strong affection for (someone or something).
I love my spouse.
I love you!
I love that song!
Passion
Any object of warm affection or devotion;
The theater was her first love
He has a passion for cock fighting
Love
(transitive) To need, thrive on.
Mold loves moist, dark places.
Passion
The suffering of Jesus at the crucifixion
Love
(transitive) To be strongly inclined towards something; an emphatic form of like.
I love walking barefoot on wet grass;
I'd love to join the team;
I love what you've done with your hair
Passion
A strong and barely controllable emotion.
His passion for painting led him to create masterpieces.
Love
To care deeply about, to be dedicated to (someone or something).
Passion
An intense desire or enthusiasm for something.
She pursued her passion for dance from a young age.
Love
(transitive) To derive delight from a fact or situation.
I love the fact that the coffee shop now offers fat-free chai latte.
Passion
A strong affection or enthusiasm towards a concept or activity.
The scientist's passion for discovery was evident in his work.
Love
A feeling of strong attachment induced by that which delights or commands admiration; preëminent kindness or devotion to another; affection; tenderness; as, the love of brothers and sisters.
Of all the dearest bonds we proveThou countest sons' and mothers' loveMost sacred, most Thine own.
Love
Courtship; - chiefly in the phrase to make love, i. e., to court, to woo, to solicit union in marriage.
Demetrius . . . Made love to Nedar's daughter, Helena,And won her soul.
Love
Affection; kind feeling; friendship; strong liking or desire; fondness; good will; - opposed to hate; often with of and an object.
Love, and health to all.
Smit with the love of sacred song.
The love of science faintly warmed his breast.
Love
Due gratitude and reverence to God.
Keep yourselves in the love of God.
Love
The object of affection; - often employed in endearing address; as, he held his love in his arms; his greatest love was reading.
Open the temple gates unto my love.
Love
Cupid, the god of love; sometimes, Venus.
Such was his form as painters, when they showTheir utmost art, on naked Lores bestow.
Therefore do nimble-pinioned doves draw Love.
Love
A thin silk stuff.
Love
A climbing species of Clematis (Clematis Vitalba).
Love
Nothing; no points scored on one side; - used in counting score at tennis, etc.
He won the match by three sets to love.
Love
To have a feeling of love for; to regard with affection or good will; as, to love one's children and friends; to love one's country; to love one's God.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self.
Love
To take delight or pleasure in; to have a strong liking or desire for, or interest in; to be pleased with; to like; as, to love books; to love adventures.
Wit, eloquence, and poetry.Arts which I loved.
Love
To have the feeling of love; to be in love.
Love
A strong positive emotion of regard and affection;
His love for his work
Children need a lot of love
Love
Any object of warm affection or devotion;
The theater was her first love
He has a passion for cock fighting
Love
A beloved person; used as terms of endearment
Love
A score of zero in tennis or squash;
It was 40 love
Love
Have a great affection or liking for;
I love French food
She loves her boss and works hard for him
Love
Get pleasure from;
I love cooking
Love
Be enamored or in love with;
She loves her husband deeply
Love
An intense feeling of deep affection.
Her love for her family was evident in all her actions.
Love
A strong predilection or enthusiasm for something.
His love for music drove him to become a professional musician.
Love
A feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection.
The love between a parent and child is unparalleled.
Love
A compassionate and benevolent feeling towards others.
Her acts of kindness displayed her love for humanity.
Love
A profound commitment and care for someone.
They celebrated 50 years of love and marriage.
FAQs
Is love always romantic?
No, love can be platonic, familial, or even related to activities and ideas.
Does passion always fade over time in relationships?
Not necessarily, but it's common for initial passion to evolve into deeper love or companionship.
Can love grow from passion?
Yes, intense passion can sometimes lead to deeper bonds of love.
Is love a choice or a feeling?
It can be both. Love is a feeling, but maintaining love often involves conscious choices and actions.
Is passion only related to romantic relationships?
No, passion can relate to interests, hobbies, work, or other pursuits.
Can love be cultivated?
Yes, through mutual understanding, respect, and shared experiences, love can grow.
Can passion exist without love?
Yes, one can have a passion for activities or concepts without necessarily loving them.
Can love be unconditional?
Many believe in the concept of unconditional love, especially in contexts like parental love for a child.
How do cultures perceive love differently?
Cultural norms, traditions, and values can shape expressions and understandings of love.
Can a person have multiple passions?
Absolutely. Individuals can be passionate about various activities, ideas, or pursuits.
Do all forms of love involve attraction?
No. For instance, the love between friends or family members might not involve physical or romantic attraction.
Can love be self-directed?
Absolutely, self-love is an essential concept emphasizing self-worth and care.
Is passion always positive?
Not always. Passion can be directed negatively, as in cases of extreme jealousy or anger.
Can passions change over time?
Yes, as people grow and evolve, their passions can shift or transform.
Do passion and love always coexist?
While they can coexist, it's possible to experience one without the other.
Can passion turn harmful?
If unchecked, excessive passion can lead to obsessive or detrimental behaviors.
Is love a universal concept?
While the concept of love exists globally, its expression and understanding can vary.
Is passion linked to creativity?
Many artists and creators attribute their work to a deep passion for their craft.
Can love be platonic?
Yes, platonic love is affectionate but not romantic or physical in nature.
What's the difference between passion and obsession?
Passion is a fervent interest or emotion, while obsession is an unhealthy and excessive preoccupation.
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.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
