# zeal

/ˈziɫ/ (US) · /zˈiːl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/zeal
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. enthusiasm for a cause

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

great energy and effort that you show when you support a particular idea or goal.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'for'.

### 2. a group of zebras

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the special name for a group of zebras.

For teachers: 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.

Teaching tip: This is a whimsical collective noun; in everyday speech, 'herd' is much more common.

## Examples

- She started her new job with great zeal.
- The young activists campaigned with such zeal that they managed to register thousands of new voters in just one week.
- While his reformist zeal was initially welcomed by the board, his refusal to compromise on minor procedural details eventually alienated his most loyal supporters.

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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.