# overzealous

/ˌoʊvɝˈzɛɫəs/ (US) · /ˌəʊvəzˈɛləs/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/overzealous
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Definition

doing something with too much energy or excitement, often to the point of being too strict or too much. It describes someone who is trying too hard to follow rules or achieve a goal.

For teachers: characterised by excessive eagerness, enthusiasm, or strictness. Often describes a person or action that exceeds reasonable limits in the pursuit of a goal or the enforcement of rules.

## Examples

- The overzealous security guard checked everyone's bags twice.
- An overzealous manager might micromanage every small detail, making it hard for the team to work efficiently.
- The overzealous application of the new safety regulations led to significant delays in the construction project, as every minor oversight was treated as a critical failure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.