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Definitions

zero

[zeer-oh] / ˈzɪər oʊ /


Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for zero?
In math and more generally, something that has the value of zero can be described as null, as in null set and The value is null.  The word cipher was once used as another name for zero. Sometimes, the term goose egg is used as an informal way to refer to zero, especially in the context of a score, as in I scored a big ol’ goose egg on that round. Zero is commonly used in a general way to mean none or nothing. Synonyms for this sense of the word include nil, naught, nought, and aught. Sometimes the word no can be used to mean the same thing as zero, as in We lowered the price but we had no offers—and I mean zero offers.  More informal synonyms for zero in the sense of nothing include zip, zippo, zilch, nada (the Spanish word for “nothing”), diddly, and diddly-squat. The word zero can also be used as a verb meaning “to reduce to zero.” The verb phrase zero out is more commonly used, as in Zero out these totals.  Sometimes, the word zero is used to refer to a person considered completely insignificant, as in They went from zeroes to heroes. Similar words include nobody and loser, but calling someone (or yourself) any of these names is never a nice thing to say.
Where does zero come from?
The concept of zero is ancient, with recorded use dating back to ancient Mesopotamia. The word zero has been used in English since at least the 16th century. It comes from Italian, from the Medieval Latin word ​​zephirum, from the Arabic sifr, meaning “empty” or “zero.” The word cipher comes from this same Arabic root, which is a translation of the Sanskrit word śūnyā, meaning “empty.”
How do you use zero in a sentence?
Zero can be used as a noun, an adjective, and even a verb. Here are some examples of zero in a sentence:
  • Four minus four is zero. 
  • The temperature is expected to drop below zero.
  • If we don’t play, the chance of us winning is zero.
  • The school had a zero tolerance policy on bullying.
  • Please zero these columns by removing all the values.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

But Walton had "zero interest in acting" as a young child - boxing was his first love.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

The startup was going to produce either multiple mRNA products, or zero, having run out of money before proving the technology’s safety, he explained.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

It is very different from here on out for anyone else that gets detained with an active removal order against them because you’re starting from zero.

From Slate ● Sep. 24, 2026

There are, I’m sure, tons of things to do in your city or neighborhood that cost zero dollars.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026

But nothing could hold down her heart, which floated in zero gravity.

From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn

This design appears to be a win on two levels, says Gillingham, the Yale professor: It zeroes out direct use of water while also reducing the total amount of energy required for cooling.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 3, 2026

Users go to AI bots for everything from recipes to life and relationship advice, even forming one-sided platonic or romantic relationships with the ones and zeroes that make up this digital ether behind a screen.

From Salon ● Jun. 28, 2026

Instead, he zeroes in on their clashing worldviews.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 6, 2026

Coco Gauff dropped a set for the second match in a row before clawing her way into a third consecutive Australian Open quarter-final on Sunday as she zeroes in on a maiden Melbourne title.

From Barron's ● Jan. 25, 2026

Mathematically, what is most striking about this date is that the zeroes are true zeroes.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

“But zeros didn’t match what we were experiencing on the ground.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

If you’re not, you’ve got to use money, which is hard to get, whereas you get shares by typing zeros into a spreadsheet.

From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026

You could take several zeros off the $200 million Steyer spent on his campaign and it would still be more than most of us make in a lifetime.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2026

Every operation -- such as applying a quantum gate -- influences more than 2 quadrillion complex numerical values, a "2" with 15 zeros.

From Science Daily ● May 11, 2026

He was the one who hatched the idea of limit and solved calculus’s problems with zeros.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

They zeroed in on Kao’s relationship with Collins.

From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026

From Washington, D.C., to Rhode Island to Oregon, federal judges nominated by presidents from both parties, including Donald Trump, have zeroed in on what’s called “the presumption of regularity.”

From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2026

It’s all zeroed out because everything is complimentary.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

Investors zeroed in on United’s potentially fatter jet-fuel bill — the airline said it expects nearly $6 billion in additional fuel expenses for the year, based on crude prices as of Tuesday.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026

Noah didn’t even acknowledge I’d said anything but zeroed in on Stephanie.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

These strange laws of existence provide the framework for Ullom’s excellent social observations, zeroing in on each character’s relationship to this new world and comparing it to the old one.

From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2026

But public health officials finally appear to be zeroing in on what’s causing it.

From Slate ● Jul. 17, 2026

The park had opened in 2001 and had struggled in its early years to pull in crowds, with audiences zeroing in on a lack of Disneyland-style attractions and an absence of grandly designed vistas.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026

HoldCo Asset Management, the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.–based activist hedge fund known for engaging in campaigns to improve underperforming banks, is zeroing in on two new targets after its most active year yet.

From Barron's ● Apr. 16, 2026

Another zeroing in on DNA, however, did not make sense to me.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson




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