different between vigorous vs zestful

English

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman vigrus, from Old French vigoros (French vigoureux), from Medieval Latin vigorosus, from Latin vigor. Doublet of vigoroso.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?v?????s/
• Rhymes: -?????s

Adjective

vigorous (comparative more vigorous, superlative most vigorous)

1. Physically strong and active.
   • 1976, Joni Mitchell, "Song for Sharon":

     Now there are twenty-nine skaters on Wollman Rink

     Circling in singles and in pairs

     In this vigorous anonymity

2. Mentally strong and active.
3. Rapid of growth.

   a vigorous shrub

Translations

English

Etymology

zest +? -ful

Adjective

zestful (comparative more zestful, superlative most zestful)

1. Having a spirited love of life; ebullient.
   • 1957, Arthur Upfield, Bony Buys a Woman, London: Heinemann, 1967, Chapter 13, p. 117,^[1]

     Debonair youth! The spurs, the wide felt hat, the open shirt, the belt holding the array of small pouches, including a holstered revolver, the delight in the long stock-whip having a bright green silk cracker to produce loud reports, ranging from slow rifle fire to the rat-tat-tat of a machine-gun, all told the story of zestful youth.

2. Eager, enthusiastic.
   • 1933, H. G. Wells, The Shape of Things to Come, London: Hutchinson & Co., 1935, Book 1, § 10, p. 77,^[2]

     […] there appeared a narrowly patriotic government, which presently developed into an aggressive, vindictive and pitiless dictatorship, and set itself at once to the zestful persecution of the unfortunate ethnic minorities […]

   • 1968, Donald Barthelme, “The Dolt” in Sixty Stories, New York: Dutton, 1982, p. 94,^[3]

     […] the former priest, by now habituated to military life, and even zestful for it, enlisted under the new young king, with the rank of captain.

Derived terms

• zestfully
• zestfulness

Translations

Anagrams

• Fultzes, Zufelts