Word
zeal
US/ˈziɫ/
UK/zˈiːl/
Definitions
01enthusiasm for a cause
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. great energy and effort that you show when you support a particular idea or goal.
n. fervent devotion or tireless enthusiasm in the furtherance of a cause, ideal, or goal. Uncountable in its abstract sense.
“His zeal for protecting the environment led him to start a local recycling project.”
“The young reformer pursued his legislative agenda with a missionary zeal that both inspired his supporters and exhausted his staff.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02a group of zebras
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical
n. the special name for a group of zebras.
n. a collective noun used specifically to refer to a group of zebras.
“We watched a zeal of zebras gathering at the water hole during the safari.”
“The documentary captured the moment a zeal of zebras began their annual migration across the plains.”
Synonyms
Usage
Commonly paired with the preposition 'for' ('zeal for justice').
Real-World Examples
“The five children carried their box-shaped Kodak Brownie cameras everywhere , capturing pictures of each other, their parents and their surroundings with a zeal unmatched by Europe’s other royal houses .” “Whereas, throughout the 18th century, people tended to define zeal as ‘excessive or immoderate enthusiasm’, she praised the ‘Zealot’, who was ‘warm and assiduous’ and ‘stiff and narrow-Spirited’.” Etymology
From Middle English zele, from Old French zel, from Late Latin zēlus, from Ancient Greek ζῆλος (zêlos, “zeal, jealousy”), from Proto-Indo-European *yeh₂- (“to search”). Related to jealous.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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