zeal
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for zeal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Strong, energetic enthusiasm for a cause, goal, or belief.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use zeal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
religious zeal
zeal for reform
missionary zeal
pursue with zeal
Etymology
From Old French zel, ultimately from Greek zēlos ("zeal, jealousy") — the same root that gives us "zealous" and "jealous."
Full origin of zeal →Frequently asked questions
What does “zeal” mean?
The word “zeal” means strong, energetic enthusiasm for a cause, goal, or belief. In plain terms, passionate energy and dedication toward something you care about.
How do you pronounce “zeal”?
“Zeal” is pronounced zeel (/zil/ in IPA).
How do you use “zeal” in a sentence?
Here is “zeal” used in a sentence: “She pursued the project with real zeal, working late every night.”
What part of speech is “zeal”?
“Zeal” is a noun.
Where does the word “zeal” come from?
The word “zeal” comes from Old French. From Old French zel, ultimately from Greek zēlos ("zeal, jealousy") — the same root that gives us "zealous" and "jealous.".
Is “zeal” a common word?
“Zeal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
