Zeal
noun /ziːl/ — Intense enthusiasm and eagerness for a cause.
Definition
Great energy and enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause, objective, or interest; fervent dedication that goes beyond mere effort into something closer to devotion.
Beyond the definition
Zeal is enthusiasm with a moral edge. The zealous person isn't just motivated — they believe. It can be inspiring or exhausting depending on whether you share the cause. The word carries warmth when the cause is good, and a slight alarm when it tips toward excess.
Origin & history
From Greek zelos ('fervor, zeal, jealousy'), via Latin zelus. Related to 'jealous' — both words live in the territory of intense wanting.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She threw herself into the campaign with a zeal that inspired everyone around her.
His zeal for reform was admirable, though it occasionally made compromise difficult.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Zeal” when the meaning fits your context: Great energy and enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause, objective, or interest; fervent dedication that goes beyond mere effort into something closer to devotion.
Synonyms
enthusiasm, fervor, ardor, passion, dedication
Antonyms
apathy, indifference, lethargy, disinterest
Related words
- zealotry
- fervor
- ardor
- devotion
Zeal vs enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is energetic interest in something — a positive engagement that can be directed at almost anything. Zeal is enthusiasm with a moral or devotional dimension: it implies belief, not just motivation. You can be enthusiastic about a new restaurant; zeal is reserved for causes, missions, and convictions. Zeal tips toward obsession when it exceeds its target; enthusiasm, even strong enthusiasm, rarely carries that risk. Zeal believes; enthusiasm enjoys.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Intense passion in artistic creation
An artist sits alone in a cluttered studio, working with extreme focus on a painting detail, hands covered in pigments and tools.
The artist's absolute absorption and messy, intense engagement demonstrate zeal. This is not merely effort, but a fervent dedication that shows how someone might lose themselves entirely in the pursuit of their creative objective.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Zeal" mean?
Zeal is noun meaning: Intense enthusiasm and eagerness for a cause.. Great energy and enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause, objective, or interest; fervent dedication that goes beyond mere effort into something closer to devotion.
Where does the word "Zeal" come from?
From Greek zelos ('fervor, zeal, jealousy'), via Latin zelus. Related to 'jealous' — both words live in the territory of intense wanting.