zero

noun · verb

Simple meaning

the number 0 or a starting point

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

zihroh

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US device voice

IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈzɪɹoʊ

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

noun

The numeric symbol that represents the cardinal number zero.
The digit 0 in the decimal, binary, and all other base numbering systems.
The point on a scale from which positive or negative numerical quantities can be measured
The point on a scale at which numbering or measurement originates.
informaluncountable
Nothing, or none.
A setting of calibrated instruments such as a firearm, corresponding to a zero value.

verb

Adjust (as by firing under test conditions) the zero of (a gun)
“He zeroed in his rifle at 200 yards.”
To adjust until the variance is reduced to an acceptably low amount.
To disappear or make something disappear.
transitive
To set some amount to be zero.

Word at a Glance

Difficulty: A2 · Elementary
Frequency: Common
Typical Use: Varies by meaning

Word Aura™

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Common Patterns and Combinations

How this word naturally appears with others.

absolute zerozero pointzero valuezero meanzero order

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Similar Words, What’s the Difference?

Close in meaning, but not always interchangeable.

cardinal
A word used to represent a cardinal number.
cipher
A numeric character.
aught
The digit zero.

Word Family

Related forms, grouped by how they connect.

Compound terms

Established multiword terms.

zero-coupon bondnounCompound term
A bond that is issued at a deep discount from its value at maturity and pays no interest during the life of the bond.
zero-coupon securitynounCompound term
A security that makes no interest payments but instead is sold at a deep discount from its face value.
zero hournounCompound term
The time set for the start of an action or operation.
zero inverbCompound term
Direct onto a point or target, especially by automatic navigational aids.
zero pointnounCompound term
The point on a scale from which positive or negative numerical quantities can be measured.
zero-sum gamenounCompound term
A game in which the total of all the gains and losses is zero.

Related Words

Connected to the same idea, not synonyms.

More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin

Synonyms

Sense: numeric symbol that represents the cardinal number zero

cardinalTechnicalnoughtcypherRegional

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