In this paper for the first time, a cost-effective reinforced zeolite with cellulose nanofibers and magnetic nanoparticles (MZeo/Cellulose nanofiber) was used for the elimination of reactive red 198 (RR198) dye. The fabricated sorbent was characterized by SEM, FTIR, and XRD. The effect of operational parameters, including pH, RR198 concentration, the mass ratios of zeolite to cellulose nanofiber and zeolite coated cellulose to Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, contact time, agitation speed, sorbent dosage, and temperature were studied. The prepared sorbent exhibited the maximum removal efficiency of 99% for RR198 removal at 30 °C. The presence of other dyes along with the target dye did not negatively affect the adsorption process and RR198 removal efficiency from actual water samples seemed satisfactory and rational. Equilibrium studies confirmed that both Langmuir and Freundlich models described the RR198 adsorption on MZeo/Cellulose nanofiber indicating physical and chemical interactions between the sorbent and RR198 molecules. Kinetic studies demonstrated that pseudo-second-order fitted best with experimental data. Also, thermodynamic studies showed the endothermic nature of the adsorption process. Compared to zeolite, MZeo/Cellulose nanofiber represented a promising removal efficiency for the elimination of RR198 dye from contaminated water.