What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
eager
Example
The children were eager to open their presents on Christmas morning. [eager: adjective]
Example
She eagerly volunteered to help with the charity event. [eagerly: adverb]
zealous
Example
He was a zealous supporter of environmental conservation. [zealous: adjective]
Example
The artist approached his work with a zealous attention to detail. [zealous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Eager is more common than zealous in everyday language, and is used in a wider range of contexts. Zealous is less common and is typically reserved for more formal or specialized situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between eager and zealous?
Zealous is more formal than eager, and is typically used in more serious or professional contexts. Eager is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
