What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
enthusiastic
Example
She was enthusiastic about the new project and couldn't wait to get started. [enthusiastic: adjective]
Example
The audience was enthusiastic about the performance and gave a standing ovation. [enthusiastic: adjective]
zealous
Example
He was zealous in his pursuit of justice and worked tirelessly to make a difference. [zealous: adjective]
Example
The team was zealous in their efforts to win the championship and trained hard every day. [zealous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Enthusiastic is more commonly used than zealous in everyday language. Enthusiastic is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while zealous is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between enthusiastic and zealous?
Both enthusiastic and zealous can be used in formal and informal contexts, but zealous may be perceived as more formal due to its less frequent usage.