| English Dictionary |
OVERZEALOUS
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does overzealous mean?
• OVERZEALOUS (adjective)
The adjective OVERZEALOUS has 1 sense:
1. marked by excessive enthusiasm for and intense devotion to a cause or idea
Familiarity information: OVERZEALOUS used as an adjective is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Marked by excessive enthusiasm for and intense devotion to a cause or idea
Synonyms:
fanatic; fanatical; overzealous; rabid
Context example:
rabid isolationist
Similar:
passionate (having or expressing strong emotions)
Context examples
Overzealous switching of these cells from the ‘pumping’ to the ‘repair’ mode can lead to atherosclerosis, resulting in the formation of ‘plaques’ in the blood vessels that block the blood flow.
(Observation of blood vessel cells changing function could lead to early detection of blocked arteries, University of Cambridge)
Stealing backward glances as he ran, he was always ready to whirl around and down the overzealous pursuer that outran his fellows.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"You must first walk around a bit before you can understand the distance from the valley to the mountain." (Bhutanese proverb)
"If three people tell you that you are drunk, you better lie down." (American proverb)
"Flatter the mother to get the girl." (Corsican proverb)