noun Uncommon

Zulu

ZOO-loo

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Zulu (noun) means a member of the Zulu people, a Bantu ethnic group centred in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa. Example: “Her grandmother was Zulu and taught her the traditional songs.”

noun

A member of the Zulu people, a Bantu ethnic group centred in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa.

"Her grandmother was Zulu and taught her the traditional songs."

"The museum exhibit told the history of the Zulu kingdom under Shaka."

The Zulu language, isiZulu, spoken by millions of people in southern Africa.

"He grew up speaking Zulu at home and English at school."

In military and aviation use, a codeword for the time zone at the prime meridian (UTC), often written as a 'Z' after a time.

"The flight plan listed the departure time as 1400 Zulu."

adjective

Relating to the Zulu people, their culture, or their language.

"The dancers wore traditional Zulu dress for the ceremony."

How to use Zulu

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishZulu can mean the South African people and their language, or, in radio and aviation jargon, it's just shorthand for UTC time.

Common mistake

In aviation/military contexts "Zulu time" simply means UTC — it has nothing to do with the Zulu people or language.

Common pairings

Zulu time Zulu language Zulu warrior Zulu nation

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: Zulus

Test yourself on “Zulu” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Her grandmother was _____ and taught her the traditional songs.

Etymology

From the Zulu people's own name for themselves, uMzulu, historically linked to a royal ancestor and traditionally said to relate to a word for "sky" or "heaven."

Rhymes for Zulu

lulu sulu Honolulu

See all rhymes for Zulu →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Zulu” mean?

The word “Zulu” means a member of the Zulu people, a Bantu ethnic group centred in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa. In plain terms, zulu can mean the South African people and their language, or, in radio and aviation jargon, it's just shorthand for UTC time.

How do you pronounce “Zulu”?

“Zulu” is pronounced ZOO-loo (/ˈzuːluː/ in IPA).

How do you use “Zulu” in a sentence?

Here is “Zulu” used in a sentence: “Her grandmother was Zulu and taught her the traditional songs.”

What part of speech is “Zulu”?

Depending on how it is used, “Zulu” can be a noun and an adjective.

Is “Zulu” a common word?

“Zulu” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “Zulu” have?

“Zulu” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of the Zulu people, a Bantu ethnic group centred in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa.

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Vocabulary lists that include Zulu:

Words that end with U Words that start with Z