zealful

Zealful is an adjective meaning full of zeal; characterized by fervent ardor or enthusiastic devotion to a cause, task, or belief. In usage, it describes a strong, energetic commitment that may be admirable or excessive depending on the context. The word is notably less common in modern English than zealous; many writers prefer zealous to describe intense enthusiasm, while zealful emphasizes the internal state of being full of zeal.

Originating from the noun zeal with the English suffix -ful, zealful appears in Middle English and Early Modern English texts. Today it is rarely used and is often labeled archaic or literary, surviving mainly in historical writings, religious language, or stylistic prose.

Usage notes: In contemporary English, zealful is uncommon; writers typically use zealous to express intense enthusiasm, while zealful may appear in religious or ceremonial registers or in historical or rhetorical contexts. The word can be neutral when describing sincere enthusiasm, but it can carry a sense of excessive or overzealous behavior in evaluative contexts.

See also: zeal, zealous, zealot, zealotry, ardor, fervor.