zealous

American  

[zel-uhs] / ˈzɛl əs /

adjective

1. full of, characterized by, or due to zeal; ardently active, devoted, or diligent.

   Synonyms:

   warm , passionate , intense , fervent , fervid , eager , enthusiastic

   Antonyms:

   lackadaisical , apathetic

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zealous British  

/ ˈzɛləs /

adjective

1. filled with or inspired by intense enthusiasm or zeal; ardent; fervent

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Other Word Forms

• nonzealous adjective
• nonzealously adverb
• nonzealousness noun
• underzealous adjective
• underzealously adverb
• underzealousness noun
• unzealous adjective
• unzealously adverb
• zealously adverb
• zealousness noun

Etymology

Origin of zealous

First recorded in 1520–30; from Medieval Latin zēlōsus; zeal, -ous

Example Sentences

Douglass noted the paradox: For abolitionists Lincoln seemed “tardy, cold, dull, and indifferent,” yet by the measure of public sentiment he was obliged to weigh, Lincoln proved “swift, zealous, radical, and determined.”

From The Wall Street Journal

This is especially true for converts, who tend to be more zealous than people who are born into a given religion or faith tradition.

From Salon

He is speaking directly to his most zealous supporters on the Christian right who feel alienated from mainstream American society and view secular society as the enemy.

From Salon

Ludwig II of Bavaria was a zealous aesthete with enough personal wealth to treat part of what is now Germany as an architectural canvas.

From Salon

Lambasting his creative choices, and silently judging the one-hour-photo employee who calls his shots “pretty,” Scorsese good-naturedly mocked the zealous dedication he brought to his movies.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ardent
• avid
• dedicated
• earnest
• fanatical
• fervent
• impassioned
• passionate
• rabid