ScienceAugust 5, 2026

overzealousness

oh-ver-ZEL-us-nes

Definition

The state of being excessively enthusiastic, eager, or intense, often to a degree that is unnecessary or problematic.

Etymology

The word is derived from the prefix 'over-' (meaning excessive) and 'zealous,' which comes from the Greek word 'zelos,' meaning ardor or jealousy. It entered English to describe an excess of fervor or devotion to a cause.

In the news

Drew Brees uses this word to describe his need to monitor his own intense behavior while watching his children play, ensuring he doesn't put too much pressure on them.

4 Reasons Why This NFL Hall of Famer Thinks Youth Sports Matter

Read the full article ↗

Movieguide

Related words

cryopreservation

The process of preserving biological samples, such as cells or tissues, by cooling them…

Science

droneship

An autonomous or remotely operated vessel used as a landing platform for rocket…

Science

ejecta

Material, such as rock, dust, and debris, that is forcibly thrown out from a crater or…

Science

micrornas

Small, non-coding RNA molecules found in biological substances like breast milk that play…

Science

nanocorral

A microscopic, gate-controlled structure that uses precisely shaped electric fields to…

Science

oligosaccharides

Complex carbohydrates composed of a small number of simple sugars linked together, which…

Science

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.