English Dictionary
Definition of “zeal”
zeal (ziːl
)
Definitions
noun
- fervent or enthusiastic devotion, often extreme or fanatical in nature, as to a religious movement, political cause, ideal, or aspiration
Word Origin
C14: from Late Latin zēlus, from Greek zēlos
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
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enthusiasm,
passion,
zest,
fire,
spirit,
warmth,
devotion,
verve,
fervour,
eagerness,
gusto,
militancy,
fanaticism,
ardour,
earnestness,
keenness,
fervency,
Usage examples
Then he surveyed the rest of them, his face alight with zeal.
Fraser, Anthea, The Gospel Makers (1994)I see the government losing its reformist zeal in a year of elections.
Business Today (2003)Canada has no tradition of such quick activism, although experts note the U. S. reform zeal is a relatively new phenomenon.
Globe and Mail (2003)And invent is what Cunningham does, with the zeal of a man half his age.
Independent (1998)De Niro worked on the role of Jon with the zeal that became his trademark.
John Baxter, DE NIRO: A Biography (2002)
