English Explanatory Dictionary

zealous

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Full of zeal; ardent, fervent; exhibiting enthusiasm or strong passion, particularly in matters of religion.

Pronunciation

/ˈzɛləs/ /ˈziːləs/ en-us-zealous.ogg en-au-zealous.ogg

Word forms

zealous more zealous zealouser most zealous zealousest zelous

Etymology

From Middle English zelose, from Latin zēlōsus, from zēlus + -ōsus, from Ancient Greek ζῆλος (zêlos, “zeal, jealousy”), from ζηλόω (zēlóō, “to emulate, to be jealous”). By surface analysis, zeal + -ous. Doublet of jealous.

Synonyms

ardent eager enthusiastic fervent passionate vehement zealotic

Antonyms

apathetic dispassionate indifferent unenthusiastic

Related words

jealous zeal zealot zealotic zealotical zealotry

Derived words

overzealous zealously zealousness zealous witness
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