zealous

[zel-uh s]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR zealous ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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

Nearby words

Origin of zealous

From the Medieval Latin word zēlōsus, dating back to 1520–30. See zeal, -ous

Related forms

zeal·ous·ly, adverbzeal·ous·ness, nounnon·zeal·ous, adjectivenon·zeal·ous·ly, adverb

non·zeal·ous·ness, nounun·der·zeal·ous, adjectiveun·der·zeal·ous·ly, adverbun·der·zeal·ous·ness, nounun·zeal·ous, adjectiveun·zeal·ous·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for zealous

Zealous populist patriots might pal around on principle, but banding together effectively is another matter.
Elections Could Be the Beginning of the End for Europe|Tracy McNicoll, Nadette De Visser|May 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some of them were brought up in the faith; some are zealous converts.
Teenage Girls Seduced by the Syrian Jihad?|Christopher Dickey|April 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The prohibition on cannabis and medical research seems to be the result of the same type of zealous fear.
Sanjay Gupta’s Pot Pilgrimage for Pain Relief|Valerie Vande Panne|March 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Zealous to whitewash herself Ekaterina in collusion with media loyal to the Kremlin attacked the lawyers.
How the Pussy Riot Girls Trial Fell Apart|Alisa Obraztsova|May 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The snub was labeled a disgrace by some in the industry, and sparked a backlash among its most zealous fans.
‘The Dark Knight Rises’ Battles for a Best Picture Oscar Nomination|Kevin Fallon|December 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Our knowledge of mountains, thanks to the labours of a zealous army of workers, is now considerable.
The Story of the Hills|H. N. Hutchinson
Mrs. King, who was religious and zealous, had found in him a convert.
A Dozen Ways Of Love|Lily Dougall
In the French ambassador they had a dexterous, a zealous, and perhaps, not a disinterested intercessor.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
He smiled with zealous yearning at the q-b, and resumed his conversations.
Sea and Sardinia|D. H. Lawrence
I was left alone, praising God that he had given me such clever parents, and so zealous for my welfare.
Pablo de Segovia, the Spanish Sharper|Francisco de Quevedo

British Dictionary definitions for zealous

zealous

adjective

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

Derived Formszealously, adverbzealousness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for zealous

zealous

ad.

1520s, from Medieval Latin zelosus (source of Italian zeloso, Spanish celoso), from zelus (see zeal). Related: Zealously, zealousness.

zealous

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of zealous

Examples from the Web for zealous

zealous

adjective

zealous