zealous, adj.

zealous
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zealous_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# zealousadjective

## Earlier version

- zealous, a. in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the adjective zealous mean?

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

### How common is the adjective zealous?

About 2occurrences per million words in modern written English

1750 | 26
1760 | 24
1770 | 23
1780 | 23
1790 | 24
1800 | 24
1810 | 25
1820 | 25
1830 | 23
1840 | 22
1850 | 19
1860 | 16
1870 | 13
1880 | 11
1890 | 9.3
1900 | 7.5
1910 | 6.1
1920 | 5.0
1930 | 4.3
1940 | 3.7
1950 | 3.3
1960 | 3.0
1970 | 2.5
1980 | 2.0
1990 | 1.8
2000 | 1.8
2010 | 1.9

### How is the adjective zealous pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzɛləs/
ZEL-uhss

#### U.S. English

/ˈzɛləs/
ZEL-uhss

### Where does the adjective zealous come from?

Earliest known use

Middle English

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

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

zealous is a borrowing from Latin.

Etymons: Latin zelosus.

### Nearby entries

1. zeal-inflamed, adj. 1648–
2. zealing, adj. 1459–1602
3. zealist, n. 1614–
4. zealless, adj. a1594–
5. zealot, n. & adj. a1400–
6. zealotic, adj. 1657–
7. zealotical, adj. 1630–
8. zealotism, n. 1645–
9. zealotist, n. & adj. 1593–
10. zealotry, n. 1653–
11. zealous, adj.?1495–
12. zealously, adv.?1495–
13. zealousness, n. c1555–
14. zealousy, n. 1542–
15. zeal-pretending, adj. 1652–69
16. zeal-quenching, adj. 1688–1877
17. zeal-scoffing, adj. 1605
18. zeal-transported, adj. a1644–59
19. zeal-worthy, adj. 1797
20. zea maize, n. 1811–
21. zearalanol, n. 1966–

## Etymology

### Summary

A borrowing from Latin.
Etymon: Latin zelosus.
< post-classical Latin zelosus ardent, fervent (5th or 6th cent. designating an emotion, 7th cent. designating a group of people) < classical Latin zēlus zeal n. + ‑ōsus ‑ous suffix.

Compare earlier jealous adj. and…
< post-classical Latin zelosus ardent, fervent (5th or 6th cent. designating an emotion, 7th cent. designating a group of people) < classical Latin zēlus zeal n. + ‑ōsus ‑ous suffix.

Compare earlier jealous adj. and the Romance forms cited at that entry.

### Notes

Specific senses
In sense 3 after jealous adj.
Specific forms
With the form zelose at α forms compare ‑ose suffix1.
The β forms reflect assimilation to zeal n.

## Meaning & use

1. 1.
   Of an action, thing, etc.
   1. 1.a.
      ?1495–
      Characterized by or indicative of passionate enthusiasm or fervour for a cause, belief, objective, etc. Cf. zeal n. 2.
      1. ?1495

         > An helper or sauer of ye people by his holy & zelose obedyence.

         R. Fitzjames, Sermo Die Lune in Ebdomada Pasche (de Worde) sig. avi
      2. 1541

         > When they had spoken, the emperour and other that were with hym, semed to commende their zelous affection.

         T. Elyot, Image of Gouernance f. 98v
      3. 1563

         > The many meanes, wherby I dyd bewraye My zelous wyll, to earne my prynces grace.

         W. Baldwin et al., Myrrour for Magistrates (new edition) Hastings xiv
      4. 1597

         > When..religious men, Are at their beads, tis hard to draw them thence, So sweet is zealous contemplation.

         W. Shakespeare, Richard III iii. vii. 94
      5. a1616

         > This zelous kisse.

         W. Shakespeare, King John (1623) ii. i. 19
      6. 1649

         > Then which [sc. Bulla Cruciatæ] there was never a more zealous piece, published to the world.

         Bishop J. Hall, Resolutions & Decisions ii. iii. 130
      7. 1756

         > That You may soon return safe & well to this Kingdom is ye most Zealous Wish of Yr most devoted D: Garrick.

         D. Garrick, Letter 26 February (1963) vol. I. 237
      8. 1808

         > To those doctrines he expressed a zealous attachment.

         W. Wilson, History Dissenting Churches vol. I. 391
      9. 1852

         > Zealous and intelligent co-operation.

         W. E. Gladstone, Functions of Laymen in Church 36
      10. 1902

          > Efforts that are as hasty as they are zealous.

          Davenport (Iowa) Daily Republican 9 March 10/2
      11. 1958

          > George's plain and morally zealous strictures on the inequities of private land-holding..served to stir a mass interest in the ‘land question.’

          American Political Science Review vol. 52 904/2
      12. 2003

          > The duty of a lawyer to provide zealous representation.

          R. G. Madden, Essent. Law Social Workers iv. 63
   2. 1.b.
      1582–1641
      † Characterized by or expressive of intense or powerful emotion, esp. when directed at the preservation or protection of something; ardent, vehement; righteously passionate. Cf. zeal n. 1. Obsolete except as merged in sense 1a.
      1. 1582

         > Godlie and zealous anger in the husband towards the wife is lawfull.

         T. Bentley, Sixt Lampe Virginitie 17
      2. 1590

         > Whenas the noble Britomart heard tell Of Troian warres..She was empassiond at that piteous act, With zelous enuy of Greekes cruell fact, Against that nation.

         E. Spenser, Faerie Queene iii.ix. 538
      3. 1608

         > The People fall In zealous fury on the Priests of Baal.

         J. Sylvester, translation of G. de S. Du Bartas, Deuine Weekes & Workes (new edition) ii. vi. 98
      4. 1641

         > When hee saw his Fathers House abus'd..hee had anger certainly, though not as a passion of revenge..it was zealous anger, not vicious anger.

         M. Milward, Sword-bearer 13
2. 2.
   Of a person, group, etc.: fervently or passionately devoted to a cause, belief, undertaking, etc.; vehemently or earnestly dedicated to the pursuit of an objective or outcome. Also (esp. in later use) in weakened sense: eager, keen (cf. zeal n. 3).
   1. 2.a.
      1526–
      With the object towards which zeal is directed introduced by for or of (formerly also over, to, unto, etc.). Now somewhat rare.
      1. 1526

         > They are all zelous over the lawe [Geneva zelous of the Lawe].

         Bible (Tyndale) Acts xxi. 20
      2. 1535

         > I haue bene zelous for the Lorde God Zebaoth.

         Bible (Coverdale) 1 Kings xix. 10
      3. 1611

         > I..was zealous towards God.

         Bible (King James) Acts xxii. 3
      4. 1644

         > Jerom..though zealous of single life more then anough,..defended Fabiola.

         J. Milton, translation of M. Bucer, Ivdgement concerning Divorce 6
      5. 1733

         > Be assured that none is more truly zealous for your welfare, than your F. A. Kelly.

         in Swift's Letters (1768) vol. IV. 47
      6. 1824

         > His Ministers, zealous of the royal interests.

         Morning Chronicle 28 December
      7. 1849

         > The House of Commons..more zealous for royalty than the king, more zealous for episcopacy than the bishops.

         T. B. Macaulay, History of England vol. I. ii. 175
      8. 1908

         > Many new converts..were zealous of good works.

         New Castle (Pennsylvania) News 29 July 10/4
      9. 1963–4

         > The Ministry of Education is most zealous of maintaining direct control of all educational policies and practices.

         International Rev. Education vol. 9 434
      10. 2014

          > It's possible to be simultaneously enthusiastic about language, zealous for good English teaching and..hostile to the philosophy behind the Bad Grammar Awards.

          Times (Nexis) 17 May (Features section) 86
      1. needful Old English–1230
         Earnest, eager.
      2. anguishous?c1225–1500
         Eager, zealous, ardent.
      3. eager?a1300–
         Of a person: full of keen desire or appetite; impatiently longing to do or obtain something. With infinitive expressing the desired action. Keen…
      4. thro c1330–1540
         Keen, eager, zealous, earnest.
      5. fierce 1377–
         Ardent, eager; full of violent desire; furiously zealous or active. †Const. for, to, upon, and to with infinitive.
      6. desirous a1393–1661
         Very willing, eager, zealous. Esp. in desirous in arms and variants: ready and eager to fight, courageous. Obsolete.
      7. affectuous a1400–1680
         Earnest in feeling or desire; eager, ardent. Obsolete.
      8. yeverous a1400–1907
         Eager, impetuous.
      9. inward c1402–1627
         Conceived in or coming from one's inmost heart; deeply felt, heartfelt; hence, earnest, fervent.
      10. earnestful?1406–1563
          Showing sincere and intense feeling or conviction, serious; = earnest, adj. 1.
      11. rathe?c1450
          Of a person or his or her actions: quick, prompt; eager, vehement.
      12. zealing 1459–1602
          Zealous.
      13. incre c1480
          Earnest, fervent, eager, hearty.
      14. affectual 1483–1581
          Earnest, ardent, eager. Obsolete.
      15. zealous 1526–
          Of a person, group, etc.: fervently or passionately devoted to a cause, belief, undertaking, etc… With the object towards which zeal is directed…
      16. affectioned a1533–1623
          Eager, ambitious; zealous. Obsolete.
      17. jealous 1535–1661
          Vehement in feeling, as in wrath, desire, or devotion. Devoted, eager, zealous. Obsolete.
      18. hearty c1540–
          Energetic or thorough in one's actions or desires; zealous, eager, fervent. In early use frequently with for, to.
      19. affective c1550
          Earnest, zealous. Obsolete. rare.
      20. earnest 1563
          Of an action or words: proceeding from or implying intensity of feeling or conviction; serious, lacking humour or levity.
      21. forward 1570–
          Ardent, spirited, zealous, esp. in an action or cause; (esp. in military contexts, of a person or an approach) bold, favouring vigorous aggressive…
      22. pricking 1575
          That presses forward; keen, eager. Obsolete. rare.
      23. affectionate 1598–1750
          Eager, ambitious, earnest. Obsolete.
      24. passiveless 1602–54
          Not passive.
      25. zealful 1602–
          Full of or inspired by zeal; characterized by passionate enthusiasm; zealous.
      26. full-hearted a1616–
          Full of spirit, courage, etc.; wholehearted; (of an action) carried out with the greatest possible enthusiasm, commitment, etc.
      27. wholehearted 1644–
          Of a person: completely devoted or committed; totally sincere.
      28. intense 1645–
          Of personal, esp. mental, action, etc.: Strained or strenuously directed to some end; intent, eager, earnest, ardent. (Often not distinguished…
      29. high 1649–1721
          Zealous, eager, keen. Esp. with for. Obsolete.
      30. covetous 1652–
          Of actions: Eager.
      31. thorough-hearted 1656–1913
          Wholehearted, entirely devoted.
      32. keen as mustard 1659–
          In similative and proverbial phrases, esp. with reference to the heat or pungency of mustard. hot (also strong) as mustard: very powerful or…
      33. fell 1667–1888
          With for, on, †to. Obsolete.
      34. fervent 1673
          Of persons, their passions, dispositions, or actions: Ardent, intensely earnest. From 17th cent. almost exclusively with reference to love or…
      35. smirk 1674
          Eager, ardent. Obsolete. rare.
      36. zealed 1679–1903
          Zealous; demonstrating or characterized by zeal. Cf. over-zealed, adj.
      37. prest 1697
          Ready in mind, disposition, or will, esp. for something or to do something; inclined, disposed, willing; eager, keen, prompt.
      38. strenuous 1713–
          Zealous, earnest, ‘strong’ as a partisan or opponent. Obsolete except as contextual use of sense 1.
      39. enthusiastic 1741–
          Characterized by, having, or displaying passion or zeal for a cause or principle, or in pursuing an activity or objective; ardent, keen, avid. Of…
      40. enthusiastical 1755–
          Full of or characterized by passion, eagerness, or keen interest; ardent, avid; energetic. Cf. enthusiastic, adj. A.3a, A.3b. Now rare.
      41. zeal-worthy 1797
          Deserving of zeal or enthusiasm.
      42. whole-souled 1821–
          = wholehearted, adj. 2.
      43. con amore 1828–
          Quasi-adj. Friendly, hearty.
      44. lyrical 1875–
          Excitedly effusive; highly enthusiastic, fervent. Frequently in to wax lyrical. colloquial (originally U.S.).
      45. mustard 1891–
          Of the colour of mustard; dark brownish yellow.
      46. gung ho 1942–
          A slogan adopted in the war of 1939–1945 by the United States Marines under General E. Carlson (1896–1947); hence as adj.: enthusiastic, eager…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. affectuous a1400–1680
         Earnest in feeling or desire; eager, ardent. Obsolete.
      2. affectual 1483–1581
         Earnest, ardent, eager. Obsolete.
      3. zealous 1526–
         Of a person, group, etc.: fervently or passionately devoted to a cause, belief, undertaking, etc… With the object towards which zeal is directed…
      4. jealous 1535–1661
         Vehement in feeling, as in wrath, desire, or devotion. Devoted, eager, zealous. Obsolete.
      5. hearty c1540–
         Energetic or thorough in one's actions or desires; zealous, eager, fervent. In early use frequently with for, to.
      6. affective c1550
         Earnest, zealous. Obsolete. rare.
      7. gung ho 1942–
         A slogan adopted in the war of 1939–1945 by the United States Marines under General E. Carlson (1896–1947); hence as adj.: enthusiastic, eager…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. ardent c1374–
         figurative. Glowing with passion, animated by keen desire; intensely eager, zealous, fervent, fervid. Of persons and their faculties; transferred of…
      2. fierce 1377–
         Ardent, eager; full of violent desire; furiously zealous or active. †Const. for, to, upon, and to with infinitive.
      3. flagrant?1521–1785
         Of feelings, passions, etc. (rarely of persons): Ardent, burning, intensely eager or earnest. Obsolete.
      4. zealous 1526–
         Of a person, group, etc.: fervently or passionately devoted to a cause, belief, undertaking, etc… With the object towards which zeal is directed…
      5. passionate a1530–
         Of a person: affected with passion or strong feeling; dominated by intense emotion; ardently enthusiastic. Also: zealously devoted, attached, or…
      6. heady 1543
         Impetuous, precipitate; wilful, headstrong, unruly; capricious. In early use also: excessively or… Of a person.
      7. concupiscentious 1555–1607
         Eagerly desirous, full of concupiscence.
      8. passionative 1593–1678
         Subject to passionate desire. Also: having a passionate nature or tendency.
      9. luxurious 1614
         Outrageous, extravagant, excessive; also, passionately desirous after something. Obsolete.
      10. mad a1627–
          Chiefly British. With infinitive: wildly desirous (to do something).
      11. concupitive 1651
          = concupiscible, adj. 2.
      12. sultry 1671–
          Chiefly poetic. Characterized by the heat of temper or passion; hot with anger or lust.
      13. hot-tempered 1673–
          †a. Passionate, lustful (obsolete); b. bad-tempered, irascible.
      14. ardurous a1770–
          Full of ardour, ardent.
      15. wild 1811–
          Of persons: Violently excited. Passionately or excitedly desirous to do something. Also const. for.
      16. nympholeptic 1818–
          Characterized by, resulting from, or inspired by nympholepsy; affected by nympholepsy. Also in extended use.
      17. concupiscent a1834–
          Eagerly desirous; lustful.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 2.b.
      1531–
      With infinitive or clause indicating a desired objective or outcome.
      1. 1531

         > They were zelouse and feruente to mayntene the opinion of so turnynge bred and wine in to the body & bloude of Christ.

         W. Tyndale, Expos. Fyrste Epist. St. Jhon (v) sig. H.vv
      2. 1560

         > And thirdely how the good rulers euer loued the Prophetes of God, and were very zealous to set forthe his religion throughout all their dominions.

         Bible (Geneva) 2 Chronicles Argt. sig. 191v
      3. 1605

         > I am..zealous and affectionate to recede as little from Antiquitie..as may stand with truth.

         F. Bacon, Of Aduancement of Learning ii. sig. Ff4v
      4. 1667

         > A Spirit, zealous, as he seem'd, to know More of th' Almighties works.

         J. Milton, Paradise Lost iv. 565
      5. 1688

         > Multituds..zealous to heare the second sermon.

         J. Evelyn, Diary (1955) vol. IV. 577
      6. 1729

         > If any is so zealous, To be a Party-minion, Let him drink like me.

         A. Ramsay, Tea-table Miscellany (new edition) vol. III. 242
      7. 1786

         > That excellent man, ever zealous to revive and cherish a taste for Oriental learning.

         Gentleman's Magazine March 201/2
      8. 1850

         > Not a scorner of your sex But venerator, zealous it should be All that it might be.

         Lord Tennyson, Princess (ed. 3) iv. 92
      9. 1852

         > I's so zealous to be a cotchin' Lizy, that I could n't hold in.

         H. B. Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin vol. I. viii. 111
      10. 1903

          > The anxious public should not be too zealous to know all of his plans.

          Burlington (Iowa) Hawk-eye 30 July 7/6
      11. 1960

          > One wonders what old miner, zealous that due credit be given, laid this home-made stone.

          News Bull. Rocky Mountain Modern Lang. Association vol. 13 2/1
      12. 2013

          > Most of them..are zealous to learn all they can.

          J. Iorg, Seasons of Leader's Life 3
      1. oflist Old English–1275
         Possessed with a strong desire; affected with longing.
      2. yern Old English–1425
         Eager, earnestly or keenly desirous; also, greedy, covetous.
      3. courageous c1290–1400
         Desirous, eager (to do something). Obsolete.
      4. eager?a1300–
         Of a person: full of keen desire or appetite; impatiently longing to do or obtain something. With infinitive expressing the desired action. Keen…
      5. greedy a1300–
         In wider sense: Eager, keen; †eagerly active, zealous (obsolete); eagerly or keenly desirous of or †to do (something).
      6. keen a1375–
         Of persons: Eager, ardent, fervid; full of, or manifesting, intense desire, interest, excitement, etc. Also, of desire, feeling, etc.: Intense.
      7. affectuous a1400–1680
         Earnest in feeling or desire; eager, ardent. Obsolete.
      8. lickerous c1405–1633
         gen. and figurative. Having a keen relish or desire for something pleasant. Const. of; also, eager to do something.
      9. appetent c1420–
         Longing, eagerly desirous. Const. after, of.
      10. affectual 1483–1581
          Earnest, ardent, eager. Obsolete.
      11. gasping 1517–
          That gasps (in various senses of the verb); characterized by or accompanied by gasping. Also figurative.
      12. zealous 1531–
          Of a person, group, etc.: fervently or passionately devoted to a cause, belief, undertaking, etc… With infinitive or clause indicating a desired…
      13. avidious 1534–
          = avid, adj.
      14. avidous 1542
          = avid, adj.
      15. affective c1550
          Earnest, zealous. Obsolete. rare.
      16. anxious 1570–
          Having a strong desire for something, to do something, or that something should happen; keen, eager, greatly concerned.
      17. lickerish 1579–
          gen. and figurative. Eagerly desirous, longing, greedy; = lickerous, adj. 2b.
      18. solicitous 1628–
          Anxious, eager, desirous. With in (governing nouns of action).
      19. mantling 1657
          Eagerly desiring; frisky; rampant. Cf. mantle, v. 7. Obsolete.
      20. ambitioning 1683
          Ambitious.
      21. urgent 1753–
          Eagerly desirous to do something.
      22. avid 1769–
          Ardently desirous, extremely eager, greedy. Const. of, for, rarely infinitive.
      23. agasp 1800–
          In a gasping condition. Also as predicative adj.: gasping, eager.
      24. concernable 1886
          Of a person: eager, desirous. Obsolete.
      25. yearnful 1889–
          Full of or expressing yearning, longing, or desire (for or after something).
      26. yevery 1896–
          Greedy; eager, anxious.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. 2.c.
      1545–
      In attributive or predicative use without construction.
      In the 17th cent., sometimes with disparaging implication of excessive puritanical zeal (see quot. 1673); cf. zeal n. 2.
      1. 1545

         > Zelouse wolde this Poete fayne be seane in his holye mothers quarell.

         J. Bale, Mysterye Inyquyte P. Pantolabus f.55v
      2. 1551

         > Cause a zelous Phinees to shedde the harte bloude of hym that that..taketh a Madianite into hys tent.

         T. Lever, Serm. xiiii. December (new edition) sig. E.viv
      3. a1591

         > As some giddy spirites thinke now, that they which are zelouser than themselues know not what they say nor doe.

         H. Smith, Sermon (1592) 921
      4. 1617

         > Let them stay at home who are so zealous, as they will pull the Hostia or Sacrament out of the Priests hand.

         F. Moryson, Itinerary iii. 32
      5. 1659

         > Out of the ablest and zealousest among them to create elders.

         J. Milton, Considerations touching Hirelings 90
      6. 1673

         > Are they not reverend botchers,..or some weavers, Some zealous cobblers, hatmakers and glovers?

         J. Wade, Vinegar & Mustard (1873) 15
      7. 1700

         > When I see the Authors so very zealous in defending their own Mistakes..I cannot but extreamly regret the ill usage of those important Truths they undertake to confute.

         A. B., Letter to Friend 3/1
      8. 1776

         > We had divers large and good meetings in that city, there being considerable body of sensible zealous friends.

         Short Journal Labours & Trav. D. Bell (new edition) 80
      9. 1874

         > Episcopacy had become identified among the more zealous Scotchmen with the old Catholicism.

         J. R. Green, Short History of English People viii. §5. 508
      10. 1888

          > Zealous in whatever he undertook, truthful and sincere, he made the Tribune a paper of vast and healthy influence.

          H. McCulloch, Men & Meas. of Half Cent. xxxiii. 494
      11. 1921

          > A zealous patriot..and one, too, with the courage of his convictions.

          Bakersfield Californian 27 June ii. 8/1
      12. 1945

          > Success in weather forecasting depends on adequate scientific observations and an adequate staff of zealous workers.

          Times 3 August 5/6
      13. 2009

          > Several people felt that prosecutors..were overly zealous in pursuing indictments.

          L. S. Chancer in D. Humphries, Women, Violence, & Media xii. 263
3. 3.
   1545–
   Esp. of God: fiercely or passionately protective or vigilant in the preservation of something; jealous. Cf. zeal n. 1a, jealous adj. 3, 4. Now rare or merged in sense 2.
   1. 1545

      > I am the strong and zelouse God.

      G. Joye, Exposicion of Daniel (i.) f.12
   2. 1563

      > To spoyle the zelous God of his honour.

      2nd Tome of Homelyes Agst. Idol. iii. sig. Tt ij b
   3. 1630

      > That this people should be so wonderfully zealous of the renowne of their nation.

      G. Hakewill, Apologie (ed. 2) iv. x. 433
   4. a1720

      > This holy and zealous God, will, when he marks Iniquity, surround himself with the most piercing Light.

      W. Dunlop, Sermon (1722) vol. II. 67
   5. 1890

      > Those people were so zealous of their rights, that they were not willing to accept that Constitution without a Bill of Rights.

      Convent. Rec. (Kentucky Constit. Convent.) 15 October 12/2
   6. 1955

      > A nation, so obsessed with the political and cultural superiority of its neighbors, yet so proud and zealous of its own accomplishments.

      Hispanic Review vol. 23 211
   7. 2014

      > A zealous God who accepts nothing that does not recognize the glory of his holiness.

      A. López, Gift & Unity of Being vii. 263
   1. jealous c1430–1555
      Ardently amorous; covetous of the love of another, fond, lustful. Obsolete. (But cf. sense 4.)
   2. zealous 1545–
      Esp. of God: fiercely or passionately protective or vigilant in the preservation of something; jealous. Cf. zeal, n. 1a, jealous, adj. 3, 4. Now rare…
   View in Historical Thesaurus
   1. jealous a1250–
      Troubled by the belief, suspicion, or fear that the good which one desires to gain or keep for oneself… In love or affection, esp. in sexual love…
   2. zealous 1545–
      Esp. of God: fiercely or passionately protective or vigilant in the preservation of something; jealous. Cf. zeal, n. 1a, jealous, adj. 3, 4. Now rare…
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzɛləs/
ZEL-uhss

### U.S. English

/ˈzɛləs/
ZEL-uhss

####

##### 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

##### α.

(a)

1. late Middle English; 1600s
   zelose, zelous
2. 1500s
   zeleus, zelowse
3. 1500s–1600s
   zelouse

(b) Also Scottish

1. pre-1700
   zelios, zelois, zelus

##### β.

(a)

1. 1500s–
   zealous

(b) Also Scottish

1. pre-1700
   zealus

## Frequency

zealous typically occurs about twice per million words in modern written English.

zealous is in frequency band 5, which contains words occurring between 1 and 10 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 zealous, adj., 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 | 26
1760 | 24
1770 | 23
1780 | 23
1790 | 24
1800 | 24
1810 | 25
1820 | 25
1830 | 23
1840 | 22
1850 | 19
1860 | 16
1870 | 13
1880 | 11
1890 | 9.3
1900 | 7.5
1910 | 6.1
1920 | 5.0
1930 | 4.3
1940 | 3.7
1950 | 3.3
1960 | 3.0
1970 | 2.5
1980 | 2.0
1990 | 1.8
2000 | 1.8
2010 | 1.9

### Frequency of zealous, adj., 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 | 0.38
2018 | 0.36
2019 | 0.35
2020 | 0.35
2021 | 0.34
2022 | 0.32
2023 | 0.32
2024 | 0.33

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zealously, adv. ?1495–
   In a zealous manner; esp. with passionate…

1. zealousy, n. 1542–
   Zeal, zealousness.

1. zealousness, n. c1555–
   The quality of being zealous; zeal, enthusiasm.

1. miszealous, adj. 1617–41
   Wrongly or inappropriately zealous.

1. overzealous, adj. a1628–
   Excessively zealous.

zealous, adj. was revised in June 2018.

zealous, adj. was last modified in June 2025.