Your Smart Vocabulary Companion

Etymology

From Late Latin "zelosus" meaning "full of zeal," from Greek "zelos" meaning "zeal, ardor, jealousy." The word entered English in the 16th century. Interestingly, "jealous" comes from the same root.

Usage Examples

1. "The zealous volunteers worked tirelessly to clean up the entire beach in one weekend."

2. "His zealous pursuit of perfection sometimes frustrated his more laid-back colleagues."

3. "The environmental group's zealous advocacy led to important policy changes."

Synonyms

• Enthusiastic
• Passionate
• Fervent
• Ardent
• Devoted

Antonyms

• Apathetic
• Indifferent
• Unenthusiastic
• Lukewarm
• Passive

Fun Facts

• The phrase "overly zealous" often describes someone whose enthusiasm has become excessive or counterproductive.
• Religious zeal has inspired both great acts of charity and devastating conflicts throughout history.
• In psychology, "zealous" behavior can indicate high intrinsic motivation - doing something because you genuinely care, not for external rewards.

Word Family

• Zeal (noun): Great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective
• Zealously (adverb): In a zealous manner
• Zealot (noun): A person who is fanatically devoted to a cause