What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fanatic
Example
He's a football fanatic and never misses a game. [fanatic: noun]
Example
She has a fanatic devotion to her favorite band and follows them on tour. [fanatic: adjective]
zealot
Example
He was a zealot for environmental conservation and spent all his time advocating for it. [zealot: noun]
Example
She approached her work with a zealot's fervor, never settling for less than perfection. [zealot: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fanatic is more commonly used than zealot in everyday language. Fanatic is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while zealot is less common and is often associated with religious or political beliefs.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fanatic and zealot?
Zealot is more formal than fanatic and is typically used in more serious or academic contexts. It is also more likely to have a negative connotation than fanatic.
