num
Common
zero
ZEER-roh
Zero (num) means the number 0; the quantity representing none at all. Example: “The thermometer read zero degrees this morning.”
num
1
The number 0; the quantity representing none at all.
"The thermometer read zero degrees this morning."
"She scored zero points in the first round."
"There are zero eggs left, so we cannot bake the cake."
noun
1
The starting point on a scale from which measurements are counted.
"The gauge is calibrated so that zero means no pressure at all."
"On a ruler, the measuring starts from the zero at the left end."
"The needle should sit at zero when nothing is on the scale."
2
Nothing at all; none.
"He had zero interest in the meeting."
"After the storm, we had zero chance of getting home that night."
"The shop shows zero left in stock, so it must be ordered."
verb
1
To reset something to zero, or to adjust an instrument so it reads zero correctly.
"Zero the scale before you weigh the ingredients."
"The sniper zeroed his rifle scope at 200 metres."
"Remember to zero the kitchen scale after you put the bowl on it."
How to use zero
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe number that means "none" — also used as a verb meaning to reset something to that starting point.
Common mistake
In finance and sport, "zero" and "nil"/"nought" are often interchangeable in British English, but "zero" is the standard technical term.
Common pairings
zero tolerance
zero in on
zero out
ground zero
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Word forms
- Plural
- zeros, zeroes
- Third person singular
- zeroes, zeros
- Past tense
- zeroed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The thermometer read _____ degrees this morning.
Etymology
Traces back through French and Italian to an Arabic word for "empty" or "nothing," which itself translated a Sanskrit term for the void — the same root that gives us "cipher."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for zero
See all rhymes for zero →Frequently asked questions
What does “zero” mean?
The word “zero” means the number 0; the quantity representing none at all. In plain terms, the number that means "none" — also used as a verb meaning to reset something to that starting point.
How do you pronounce “zero”?
“Zero” is pronounced ZEER-roh (/ˈzɪɹoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “zero” in a sentence?
Here is “zero” used in a sentence: “The thermometer read zero degrees this morning.”
What is another word for “zero”?
Words with a similar meaning to “zero” include value of a function’s variables at zero, origin, zero point and nadir.
What is the opposite of “zero”?
The opposite of “zero” — its antonyms — is pole.
What part of speech is “zero”?
Depending on how it is used, “zero” can be a num, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “zero” come from?
The word “zero” comes from French. Traces back through French and Italian to an Arabic word for "empty" or "nothing," which itself translated a Sanskrit term for the void — the same root that gives us "cipher.".
Is “zero” a common word?
“Zero” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is zero an even or odd number?
Zero is even. A number is even if it can be divided by two with no remainder, and zero divided by two is zero, leaving nothing over. It also sits between two odd numbers, minus one and one, on the number line, which fits the pattern of even numbers.
Is zero a positive or negative number?
Zero is neither positive nor negative. It is the neutral point that separates the positive numbers from the negative ones on the number line. This is why it is sometimes called a 'signless' number: it marks the boundary between the two, belonging to neither side while still being a genuine number.
Can you divide by zero?
No. Division by zero is undefined in ordinary arithmetic. Dividing asks how many times one number fits into another, and zero fits into any number an endless, unanswerable number of times, so no single result makes sense. Calculators and computers usually return an error when asked to do it.
What is the difference between zero and nothing?
Nothing is a general idea meaning the absence of anything at all. Zero is the precise mathematical number that represents that absence, letting us count and calculate with 'none'. So zero is how mathematics writes down 'nothing' as a value you can add, subtract and place within larger numbers.
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