zealous

adjective zeal·ous \ˈze-ləs\

: feeling or showing strong and energetic support for a person, cause, etc. : filled with zeal

Full Definition of ZEALOUS

: marked by fervent partisanship for a person, a cause, or an ideal : filled with or characterized by zeal <zealous missionaries>

— zeal·ous·ly adverb

— zeal·ous·ness noun

See zealous defined for English-language learners

See zealous defined for kids

Examples of ZEALOUS

I was zealous in my demands on my sisters for promptness in rehearsals. I was passionate, intolerant of small talk, hungry for knowledge, grabby, bossy, precocious. —Lynn Margulis, Curious Minds, (2004) 2005
Sir Thomas was zealous in the pursuit of recusants, not poachers, and was otherwise an amiable man. —S. Schoenbaum, Shakespeare's Lives, 1991
Zealous in his ministerial labours, blameless in his life and habits, he yet did not appear to enjoy that mental serenity, that inward content, which should be the reward of every sincere Christian and practical philanthropist. —Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, 1847
He had no cause for self-reproach on the score of neglect, or want of thought, for he had been devoted to her service; and yet a hundred little occasions rose up before him, on which he fancied he might have been more zealous, and more earnest, and wished he had been. —Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist, 1838
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First Known Use of ZEALOUS

1526

Rhymes with ZEALOUS

Hellas, jealous, trellis

ZEALOUS Defined for Kids

zealous

adjective zeal·ous \ˈze-ləs\

Definition of ZEALOUS for Kids

: filled with or showing a strong and energetic desire to get something done or see something succeed <The police were zealous in their pursuit of the criminals.>

: marked by passionate support for a person, cause, or ideal <a zealous fan>

— zeal·ous·ly adverb