WordWeb Online

1. A feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favour of a person or cause)
   "he felt a kind of religious zeal"
   - ardor [US], ardour [Brit, Cdn], elan, élan
    
2. Excessive fervour to do something or accomplish some end
   "he had an absolute zeal for litigation"
    
3. Prompt willingness
   "they disliked his zeal in demonstrating his superiority"
   - readiness, eagerness, forwardness

Derived forms: zeals

See also: zealous

Type of: ardor [US], ardour [Brit, Cdn], avidity, avidness, eagerness, fervency, fervidness, fervor [US], fervour [Brit, Cdn], fire, keenness, willingness

Encyclopedia: Zeal