How do you say that you are "passionate" about something without sounding cliched?

I guess it depends, to some extent, on what you’re passionate about. I can say “I really like dogs!” & not sound too bad, but if you say “I really like wine!” it could be misconstrued. ;-) Hmm… “I’m really interested in fine wines”?? “I really enjoy fine wines”? I agree, saying you’re ‘passionate’ about something sounds a bit over the top.

“I’m a wino.”

I enjoy learning about different wines?

You could say “I’m big into…”, “I’m really interested in…”, “I’m a keen…”, “One of my biggest interests is…” and so on.

Passionate is a good, strong, descriptive word. What’s wrong with using it? Get passionate about your right to use the word passionate.

Using Greek or Latin for your passion, whatever it is, makes it sound like you really enjoy it. So you’d say you’re an oenophile, which is Greek for “wine lover”.

Show, don’t tell.

“I visit wineries every weekend and have a cellar with about 100 bottles of all varieties.” Or whatever the case may be.

@nikipedia, you made a pun! Of sorts! If you’re a person who buys a lot of wine!

Ardent, fervent, enthusiastic, avid, devoted, intense, hearty, lively, spirited

I love using as many alternates of “tired” words as I can find.

“I’m really into…..”

I’m a dog person…” – A little overused now to be sure.

“I’m crazy about….”

It doesn’t sound ‘fake’ if you back it up with evidence. As @nikipedia said, show don’t tell. You should be doing that anyway in a job search situation.

GOD DAMN DO I LOVE WINE!

To me being passionate isn’t cliché

@mattbrowne completely agree, GA