zealous

[ zel-uhs ]
See synonyms for: zealouszealouslyzealousness on Thesaurus.com

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

Origin of zealous

1
First recorded in 1520–30; from Medieval Latin zēlōsus; see origin at zeal, -ous

Other words for zealous

Opposites for zealous

Other words from zealous

  • zeal·ous·ly, adverb
  • zeal·ous·ness, noun
  • non·zeal·ous, adjective
  • non·zeal·ous·ly, adverb
  • non·zeal·ous·ness, noun
  • un·der·zeal·ous, adjective
  • un·der·zeal·ous·ly, adverb
  • un·der·zeal·ous·ness, noun
  • un·zeal·ous, adjective
  • un·zeal·ous·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use zealous in a sentence

  • Diskin did not just mean that Netanyahu was acting zealously or with an arguably exaggerated sense of mission.

    Tel Aviv Rising | Bernard Avishai | April 30, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Even if the lawyer thinks his client is guilty, he must defend him zealously.

    Don't Blame the D.A. | Raymond Bonner | August 26, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • One is that the English should have gone so far out of their way as to besiege Dunaverty so zealously, or at all.

    King Robert the Bruce | A. F. Murison
  • As a military man he knew well how zealously the secrets of all fortresses are guarded.

    The Doctor of Pimlico | William Le Queux
  • The clergy of every order were zealously sought out, and thrust into dungeons designed for the worst of felons.

    The Catacombs of Rome | William Henry Withrow
  • About the middle of September Stassov sent him the rough sketch which he began to study zealously.

  • He became a physician, but at the same time devoted himself zealously to the practice of his Christian duties.

British Dictionary definitions for zealous

zealous

/ (ˈzɛləs) /


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

Derived forms of zealous

  • zealously, adverb
  • zealousness, 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