zealoushttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zealous_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezealous, adj.
Revised 2018

zealousadjective

  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
    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
    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

zealous, adj. was revised in June 2018.

zealous, adj. was last modified in June 2025.