adj
overzealous
oh-vuh-ZEH-luhs
Overzealous (adj) means Too eager or enthusiastic, often to an unhelpful or excessive degree. Example: “An overzealous security guard turned away several ticket holders by mistake.”
adj
1
Too eager or enthusiastic, often to an unhelpful or excessive degree.
"An overzealous security guard turned away several ticket holders by mistake."
"The overzealous fan tried to climb onto the stage."
How to use overzealous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSo enthusiastic about something that it becomes a problem.
Common pairings
overzealous enforcement
overzealous fan
overzealous editor
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more overzealous
- Superlative
- most overzealous
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
An _____ security guard turned away several ticket holders by mistake.
Etymology
From over- + zealous.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for overzealous
See all rhymes for overzealous →Frequently asked questions
What does “overzealous” mean?
The word “overzealous” means too eager or enthusiastic, often to an unhelpful or excessive degree. In plain terms, so enthusiastic about something that it becomes a problem.
How do you pronounce “overzealous”?
“Overzealous” is pronounced oh-vuh-ZEH-luhs (/ˌəʊvəˈzɛləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “overzealous” in a sentence?
Here is “overzealous” used in a sentence: “An overzealous security guard turned away several ticket holders by mistake.”
What part of speech is “overzealous”?
“Overzealous” is an adjective.
