3 syllables: Zeal, ous, ly. Stress on Zeal.
ZEE-luh-slee
/ˈziləsli/
Zealously is pronounced ZEE-luh-slee (/ˈziləsli/). It has three syllables (Zeal-ous-ly), with the stress on "Zeal". Zealously is an adverb meaning with extreme enthusiasm or fervor, often implying a passionate, devoted manner. It connotes acting with intense energy and commitment, sometimes bordering on zeal. Used to describe actions, advocacy, or pursuit carried out with fervent dedication.
adverbZealously is an adverb meaning with extreme enthusiasm or fervor, often implying a passionate, devoted manner. It connotes acting with intense energy and commitment, sometimes bordering on zeal. Used to describe actions, advocacy, or pursuit carried out with fervent dedication.
How to Pronounce Zealously
"She defended the project zealously, leaving no stone unturned."
"The campaign workers spoke zealously about their causes."
"He argued zealously for reform, citing every statistic."
Pronounce as /ˈziː.ləs.li/. The primary stress is on the first syllable ZEE; the middle syllable is a soft /ləs/ with a schwa-like /ə/ in fast speech; end with /li/ as a light, quick 'lee.' Visualize: ZEE-luss-LEE, with a short, relaxed /əs/ between. In careful speech, keep /l/ clear before the /ə/ and avoid turning /ləs/ into a heavy 'lass'.
Common errors include flattening the middle syllable to a full 'lass' (/læs/) or swallowing the /ə/ making /ˈziː.lə.sli/; another mistake is stressing the wrong syllable, saying /ˈziː.ləs.li/ with equal emphasis or misplacing the final /li/. Correction: practice the middle as /ləs/ with a relaxed /ə/ (not /æ/ or /ɛ/), and keep the primary stress on the first syllable. Practice slow, then speed up while maintaining the /ziː/ onset and crisp final /li/.
In US, UK, and AU, the initial /ziː/ remains, but rhoticity matters: US and AU are rhotic; UK may be non-rhotic in some accents, yet /ziːl/ is typically pronounced with an 'ee' vowel and /l/ clear. The middle /ləs/ is generally the same, but vowel quality can shift: UK may exhibit shorter /iː/ and crisper /l/; AU can soften the final /li/ to a lighter /li/ with less tension. Overall, core /ˈziː.ləs.li/ remains, only vowel length and r-coloring differ subtly.
The challenge lies in the sequence /ziː.ləs.li/: maintaining the long /iː/ first, then a quick, reduced middle /ləs/ without adding an extra syllable or turning /ləs/ into /læs/. The /z/ blends into /iː/ smoothly, and the final /li/ requires a light, nearly syllabic /i/. Another difficulty is keeping the cadence even in rapid speech; avoid over-enunciating the middle or ending; aim for a steady, slightly clipped end.
A unique focus is the balance of the middle /ləs/ with a weak schwa; many learners insert extra vowel length or a hard /æ/ in the middle. Your goal is a quick, relaxed /ləs/ with unstressed schwa, not a full vowel. Also ensure the final /li/ remains light and not swallowed. Practicing with minimal pairs like zealously vs zealously? (Use context) helps fix the rhythm.
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US: rhotics are clear; stress on first syllable; pronounce /ziː/ with a long /iː/, then /ləs/ with a schwa and a soft /s/; final /li/ is light. UK: non-rhotic tendencies may reduce r-like sounds, but here there is no /r/; emphasize crisper /l/ and slightly shorter /iː/; AU: tends to be relaxed, keeps /iː/ and /li/ bright but not overly pronounced. IPA anchors: US /ˈziː.ləs.li/, UK /ˈziː.ləs.li/; AU /ˈziː.ləs.li/. Vowel length and lip rounding stay consistent; keep the /z/ voicing clear, and avoid letting the middle vowel become a full /ə/ plus extra length.
Zealously comes from zeal, which traces back to the Latin zēl (Greek zēlos) meaning ‘ardor, fervor, zeal.’ The English noun zeal appeared in Middle English from Old French zelo or zele, ultimately from Latin zēlus meaning ‘jealousy, ardor’ though its sense has shifted toward ardent enthusiasm. The adverbial -ly suffix was added to form zealously in Early Modern English, aligning with other adverb formations that describe manner of action. The root zēlus (zeal) entered English via ecclesiastical and rhetorical usage, where zeal described fervent devotion to a cause or principle. Over centuries, zeal has carried religious, political, and general moral connotations of passionate commitment, which is now commonly extended to any vigorous, enthusiastic pursuit. First known use of zeal in English dates back to the 13th century, with closely related forms appearing in the 14th–15th centuries; zealously as a precise adverbial form is documented in later centuries as English expanded its adverbial productivity. Throughout its history, the word has retained its core sense of ardor, though modern usage increasingly emphasizes positive, enthusiastic energy rather than moral or religious zeal alone.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Zealously" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Zealously" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Zealously"
-sly sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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