zealously, adv.

zealously
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zealously_adv%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# zealouslyadverb

## Earlier version

- zealously, adv. in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the adverb zealously mean?

There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the adverb zealously, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

### How common is the adverb zealously?

About 0.6occurrences per million words in modern written English

1750 | 4.2
1760 | 4.2
1770 | 4.3
1780 | 4.2
1790 | 4.4
1800 | 4.5
1810 | 4.6
1820 | 4.8
1830 | 4.8
1840 | 4.6
1850 | 4.2
1860 | 3.8
1870 | 3.2
1880 | 2.6
1890 | 2.1
1900 | 1.8
1910 | 1.5
1920 | 1.3
1930 | 1.1
1940 | 1.0
1950 | 0.95
1960 | 0.81
1970 | 0.71
1980 | 0.63
1990 | 0.56
2000 | 0.52
2010 | 0.51

### How is the adverb zealously pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzɛləsli/
ZEL-uhss-lee

#### U.S. English

/ˈzɛləsli/
ZEL-uhss-lee

### Where does the adverb zealously come from?

Earliest known use

Middle English

The earliest known use of the adverb zealously is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).

OED's earliest evidence for zealously is from around 1495, in the writing of R. Fitzjames.

zealously is formed within English, by derivation.

Etymons: zealous adj., ‑ly suffix2.

### Nearby entries

1. zealing, adj. 1459–1602
2. zealist, n. 1614–
3. zealless, adj. a1594–
4. zealot, n. & adj. a1400–
5. zealotic, adj. 1657–
6. zealotical, adj. 1630–
7. zealotism, n. 1645–
8. zealotist, n. & adj. 1593–
9. zealotry, n. 1653–
10. zealous, adj.?1495–
11. zealously, adv.?1495–
12. zealousness, n. c1555–
13. zealousy, n. 1542–
14. zeal-pretending, adj. 1652–69
15. zeal-quenching, adj. 1688–1877
16. zeal-scoffing, adj. 1605
17. zeal-transported, adj. a1644–59
18. zeal-worthy, adj. 1797
19. zea maize, n. 1811–
20. zearalanol, n. 1966–
21. zearalenone, n. 1966–

## Etymology

### Summary

Formed within English, by derivation.
< zealous adj. + ‑ly suffix2.

## Meaning & use

1. 1.
   ?1495–
   In a zealous manner; esp. with passionate enthusiasm, fervour, or dedication; (formerly also) †with intense, powerful or overpowering feeling (cf. zeal n. 1b) (obsolete).
   1. ?1495

      > And agayn to take grete shame & conscyence whan we rede them to haue doon so zelously in goddys cause.

      R. Fitzjames, Sermo Die Lune in Ebdomada Pasche (de Worde) sig. biv
   2. 1544

      > Thus haue ye the answere of god wherfore he geueth his blessinges to the wyked, commandinge vs not to folowe theyr stepes, nor yet zelously to enuye their prosperite, but paciently to abyde a lytle.

      G. Joye, Present Consol. Sufferers Persecucion sig. C. iij
   3. 1575

      > At the first when the light of the gospel..began to appeare, many were zelously bent to godlines.

      T. Vautrollier, translation of M. Luther, Comm. Epist. to Galathians f. 24v
   4. 1611

      > To professe it [sc. Religion] zealously.

      M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. to Reader sig. A4
   5. 1645

      > Thy care is fixt, and zealously attends To fill thy odorous Lamp with deeds of light.

      J. Milton, Sonnet ix, in Poems 50
   6. 1661

      > The chanslir is selusslie your frind.

      in O. Airy, Lauderdale Papers (1884) vol. I. 92
   7. 1716

      > You all remember how zealously, a few Years ago, these very Men join'd in the Cry of the Danger of the Church.

      Polit. State Great Britain October 404
   8. 1769

      > You zealously undertook the cause of that gallant army.

      ‘Junius’, Polit. Contest iii. 18
   9. 1879

      > We know how fond ants are of honey, and how zealously and unremittingly they search for food.

      J. Lubbock, Scientific Lectures ii. 36
   10. 1886

       > A place..where there was no prospect of improvement, however zealously one worked.

       W. Besant, Children of Gibeon vol. II. ii. v. 13
   11. 1926

       > He addressed himself zealously to the study of Turkish.

       Times 31 August 14/5
   12. 1975

       > They have zealously guarded the right of expression.

       Crisis November 369/3
   13. 2006

       > An ambitious nation zealously committed to overseas trade.

       R. Kagan, Dangerous Nation (2007) iii. 97
   1. earnestly Old English–
      In an earnest manner; with great seriousness, sincerity, or intensity. Formerly also: †vehemently, with great ardour or passion (obsolete).
   2. fast Old English–1930
      With resolute or steadfast purpose or intent; earnestly, unwaveringly, staunchly; (also) with fixed attention; intently, diligently. Obsolete (archaic…
   3. yerne Old English–1513
      Eagerly, earnestly, diligently, zealously, heartily.
   4. yernfully Old English–1230
      Eagerly, diligently. Cf. yerne, adv. 1a.
   5. yernly Old English–1400
      = yerne, adv. 1.
   6. needly a1350–
      Necessarily; of necessity; under constraint or obligation; = needs, adv.
   7. keenly a1375–
      Eagerly, ardently.
   8. prestly a1375–1642
      Eagerly, earnestly, urgently.
   9. eagerly c1380–
      In an eager manner; with impatient desire, promptitude, or alacrity.
   10. busily a1400–1621
       With reference to prayer or supplication: earnestly, fervently, eagerly. Obsolete.
   11. earnestfully a1400–1573
       Earnestly.
   12. enkerly?a1400–1522
       Earnestly, heartily, fervently.
   13. entirely a1400–1606
       Earnestly. Obsolete.
   14. affectuously?a1425–1812
       With earnest feeling or desire; earnestly, ardently, eagerly. Obsolete.
   15. affectually c1425–1509
       With eager desire, earnestly; = affectionately, adv. 1. Obsolete.
   16. effectually 1434–49
       Zealously, diligently. Obsolete.
   17. heartfully a1450–
       With the whole heart; with enthusiasm, conviction, or intense feeling; warmly, cordially; devotedly.
   18. heartily a1450–
       With courage, spirit, or zeal; spiritedly, zealously.
   19. increly c1480–1513
       (enkerly, adv.), earnestly, fervently, eagerly, heartily.
   20. zealously?1495–
       In a zealous manner; esp. with passionate enthusiasm, fervour, or dedication; (formerly also) †with intense, powerful or overpowering feeling (cf…
   21. affectionately 1534–1750
       With strong inclination; eagerly, zealously, earnestly. Obsolete.
   22. earnest 1563–1791
       = earnestly, adv.
   23. heart and soul 1620–
       With all one's energy and devotion; wholeheartedly.
   24. obnixiously 1632
       Earnestly, strenuously.
   25. obnixely 1641
       Earnestly, strenuously.
   26. earn 1656
       Earnestly, longingly.
   27. warmly 1665–
       With warmth of feeling. With controversial ardour, eagerly.
   28. enthusiastically 1730–
       With (a display of) passion, eagerness, or keen interest; ardently; avidly; energetically.
   29. con amore 1749–
       With love, zeal, or delight.
   30. ravingly 1825–
       In a raving manner; deliriously, frenziedly. Cf. raving, adv.
   31. wholeheartedly 1845–
       In a completely committed or totally sincere manner.
   32. enthusiastly 1846–
       Enthusiastically; (also) in the manner of an enthusiast.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
   1. with (also mid) all one's heart Old English–
      with (also †mid) all one's heart (also with (also †mid) one's whole heart, †with one's heart): with the greatest sincerity, earnestness, or devotion…
   2. greedily c1200–
      With manifestation of strong desire; with avidity or eagerness; eagerly; †jealously, zealously, fervently (obsolete).
   3. affectuously?a1425–1812
      With earnest feeling or desire; earnestly, ardently, eagerly. Obsolete.
   4. jealously a1425–1549
      Zealously, eagerly. Obsolete.
   5. affectually c1425–1509
      With eager desire, earnestly; = affectionately, adv. 1. Obsolete.
   6. wilfully c1430–89
      With good will, heartily; ‘with a will’.
   7. heartily a1450–
      With courage, spirit, or zeal; spiritedly, zealously.
   8. zealously?1495–
      In a zealous manner; esp. with passionate enthusiasm, fervour, or dedication; (formerly also) †with intense, powerful or overpowering feeling (cf…
   9. desirously 1502–1770
      With sincerity and conviction; seriously, earnestly. Obsolete.
   10. affectedly 1582–1738
       With true intent; intentionally, sincerely, earnestly. Obsolete.
   11. affectionally 1603–
       With affection, affectionately, fondly; (also) †earnestly (obsolete).
   12. affectionately a1716
       With strong inclination; eagerly, zealously, earnestly. Obsolete.
   13. boots and all 1947–
       Phrases, as †to make one boot serve for either leg (see quot.); the boot is on the other foot or leg: the case is altered, the responsibility is on…
   14. Messianically 1976–
       In extended use: zealously, fervently.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
   1. hot Old English–
      figurative. Passionately, fervently, intensely, eagerly, rapidly, etc.
   2. hotly Old English–
      With passion, fervour, or intense feeling; angrily, excitedly; eagerly, keenly, ardently. Cf. hot, adj. A.II.8a.
   3. ardently 1340–
      In an ardent manner; with great eagerness or keen desire; passionately, earnestly, zealously.
   4. firely 1340–1668
      Ardently, fervently; with fierce eagerness.
   5. concupiscently c1450–
      With concupiscence.
   6. zealously?1495–
      In a zealous manner; esp. with passionate enthusiasm, fervour, or dedication; (formerly also) †with intense, powerful or overpowering feeling (cf…
   7. fierily 1600–
      With passion, fervour, or intense feeling; angrily, excitedly; eagerly; in a fiery manner. Cf. fiery, adj. 3.
   8. concupiscentially 1627
      Concupiscently.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
2. 2.
   1644
   † From or as a result of religious zeal; out of zealous devotion. Obsolete. rare.
   1. 1644

      > It will easily be true that a father or brother may be hated zealously, and lov'd civilly or naturally.

      J. Milton, Doctrine Divorce (ed. 2) 19
   religion
   1. zealously 1644
      From or as a result of religious zeal; out of zealous devotion. Obsolete. rare.
   2. ecstatically 1664–
      In an ecstatic manner; in a state of ecstasy.
   3. rapturously 1664–
      In a rapturous manner.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzɛləsli/
ZEL-uhss-lee

### U.S. English

/ˈzɛləsli/
ZEL-uhss-lee

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Forms

### Variant forms

(a) See zealous adj. and ‑ly suffix2
(b) Also

1. 1600s
   selusslie

## Frequency

zealously typically occurs about 0.6 times per million words in modern written English.

zealously is in frequency band 4, which contains words occurring between 0.1 and 1 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zealously, adv., 1750–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1750 | 4.2
1760 | 4.2
1770 | 4.3
1780 | 4.2
1790 | 4.4
1800 | 4.5
1810 | 4.6
1820 | 4.8
1830 | 4.8
1840 | 4.6
1850 | 4.2
1860 | 3.8
1870 | 3.2
1880 | 2.6
1890 | 2.1
1900 | 1.8
1910 | 1.5
1920 | 1.3
1930 | 1.1
1940 | 1.0
1950 | 0.95
1960 | 0.81
1970 | 0.71
1980 | 0.63
1990 | 0.56
2000 | 0.52
2010 | 0.51

### Frequency of zealously, adv., 2017–2024

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the corpus.

Period | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
2017 | 0.16
2018 | 0.15
2019 | 0.14
2020 | 0.13
2021 | 0.13
2022 | 0.13
2023 | 0.13
2024 | 0.13

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. overzealously, adv. 1667–
   In an overzealous manner.

zealously, adv. was revised in June 2018.

zealously, adv. was last modified in June 2024.