Characteristic of or having great zeal, reverence, diligence or devotion. To be zealous means to be inspired by or filled with intense enthusiasm or ardent and fervent devotion.

The word zealous describes someone or something that is ardently devoted to something. This is often used to refer to people who are very religious, who are people who are very passionate about their religion. Someone might be very zealous for a politician or an entertainer.

Etymology: It was first recorded in 1520 from Medieval Latin. It means “full of zeal.”

In a Sentence

Shannon’s mother was a very devout and zealous Catholic.

Americans should fear over-zealous surveillance by the NSA.