zeal
UK /ziːl/ · US /zil/ noun
Forms zeals
- noun The fervour or tireless devotion for a person, cause, or ideal and determination in its furtherance; diligent enthusiasm; powerful interest. “She extols the virtues of veganism with missionary zeal.”
- noun (obsolete) A person who exhibits such fervour or tireless devotion.
- noun (collective) A group of zebras.
- noun (uncommon) A light zomp.
Synonyms
ardour eagerness enthusiasm intensity passion zealot dazzle herd ardor elan readiness forwardness
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English zele, from Old French zel, from Late Latin zēlus, from Ancient Greek ζῆλος (zêlos, “zeal, jealousy”), from Proto-Indo-European *yeh₂- (“to search”). Related to jealous.
Webster’s 1913
- noun Passionate ardor in the pursuit of anything; eagerness in favor of a person or cause; ardent and active interest; engagedness; enthusiasm; fervor. "Ambition varnished o'er with zeal." Milton.
- noun A zealot. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
- verb To be zealous. [Obs. & R.] Bacon.
Etymology [F. zèle; cf. Pg. & It. zelo, Sp. zelo, celo; from L. zelus, Gr. Yeast, Jealous.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “zeal”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details