overzealous — showing too much energy or enthusiasm for something; excessively eager
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: showing too much energy or enthusiasm for something; excessively eager
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌoʊvərˈzeləs/
Example Sentences
- The overzealous diet coach made his clients eat only lettuce for a month.
- Her overzealous cleaning turned the house into a sterile laboratory.
- The overzealous referee called 20 fouls in the first quarter alone.
overzealous
ADJECTIVE[/ˌoʊvərˈzeləs/]
showing too much energy or enthusiasm for something; excessively eager
showing too much energy or enthusiasm for something; excessively eager
Don't be overzealous, it makes others jealous!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Formed in the 17th century by combining the prefix 'over-' (excessive) with 'zealous,' which derives from Greek 'zelos' (passion, fervor). Originally referring to passion, particularly religious devotion, the term evolved to denote excessive enthusiasm that becomes counterproductive or harmful.
Breakdown
over- (excessive, beyond) + zealous (from Greek zelos, passion, fervor). The suffix -ous (full of, characterized by) transforms zeal into the adjective zealous.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The overzealous diet coach made his clients eat only lettuce for a month.”
“Her overzealous cleaning turned the house into a sterile laboratory.”
“The overzealous referee called 20 fouls in the first quarter alone.”
“His overzealous attempts to help actually made things worse.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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