zero
gb/zˈɪɹoʊ/ us/zˈɪɹoʊ/
A2
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
quantity
1
The number representing nothing
The number 0, meaning no amount.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'zero' with 'O' (the letter) when speaking or writing numbers.
Synonyms
nought (British English term for the number 0.)
Antonyms
one (Represents a quantity of one, the first positive integer.)
Collocations
zero percent
|zero tolerance
|absolute zero
|zero point
Themes
mathematics
|daily life
|education
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The temperature dropped to zero degrees last night.
- Her chances of winning are close to zero.
- The score was zero to zero at halftime.
- He has zero experience in management.
- The account balance is zero.
Learner examples
- It is zero degrees today.
- I have zero money in my wallet.
- Our team scored zero points.
- The bank says my balance is zero.
Noun
B1
state
2
Complete lack of something
When there is nothing of something, or it has no importance.
Synonyms
nothing (General term for the absence of anything.)
Antonyms
full (Represents having the maximum amount of something.)
Collocations
zero chance
|zero interest
|zero value
Themes
emotions
|evaluation
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We have zero chance of catching the train now.
- He has zero interest in sports.
- That idea has zero value to our project.
Learner examples
- I have zero chance to win.
- She has zero interest in cooking.
- This plan has zero value.
Verb
technical
B2
action
3
Adjust to a reading of zero
To make a tool or machine show 0 before using it.
Usage pattern:
to zero [a device/instrument]
Synonyms
calibrate (More general term for adjusting equipment for accuracy.)
Antonyms
miscalibrate (To set a device incorrectly, making it inaccurate.)
Collocations
zero a scale
|zero the balance
|zero the gauge
Themes
science
|technology
Examples
- Please zero the scale before weighing the package.
- The technician zeroed the gauge before starting the test.
- Always zero your instrument for accurate results.
Learner examples
- Zero the scale before you use it.
- He zeroed the meter before testing.
- I need to zero this tool.
adjective
B1
property
4
Having no amount or effect
Having none of something; no amount or effect.
Synonyms
nil (Used especially in British English in sports or formal contexts.)
Antonyms
some (Indicates a non-zero amount of something.)
Collocations
zero emissions
|zero cost
|zero visibility
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The car produces zero emissions when running on battery power.
- We had zero visibility in the fog.
- This service has zero cost for members.
Learner examples
- This car makes zero noise.
- We had zero light in the room.
- The trip cost me zero money.
Grammar
Dictionary form
zero
IPA
GB/zˈɪɹoʊ/
US/zˈɪɹoʊ/
Syllables & stress
zero (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (zero)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: zero
- Plural: zeroes, zeros
Verb
- Base: zero
- 3rd Person Singular: zeroes, zeros
- Present Participle: zeroing
- Past: zeroed
- Past Participle: zeroed
Word family
Forms
zeroes
noun
zeros
noun
zeroing
verb
zeroed
verb
Related words
nonzero
adjective
Expressions
back to square one (back to zero)
1/bˈæk tə skwˈɛɹ wˈʌn bˈæk tə zˈɪɹoʊ/
idiom
informal
Return to start after failure
To start again from the beginning after failing or losing progress.
Examples
- After the deal fell through, they were back to square one.
- We are back to zero with this project after the computer crash.
from zero to hero
1/fɹˈʌm zˈɪɹoʊ tə hˈɪɹoʊ/
idiom
informal
Go from failure to success
To change from being unsuccessful to being very successful.
Examples
- In one season, the team went from zero to hero.
- He went from zero to hero after his invention became popular.
zero in on
1/zˈɪɹoʊ ˈɪn ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
Focus closely on something
To give all your attention to one thing or target it exactly.
Examples
- The police have zeroed in on a suspect.
- She quickly zeroed in on the main problem during the meeting.
absolute zero
1/ˈæbsəlˌut zˈɪɹoʊ/
fixed phrase
technical
Lowest possible temperature
The coldest temperature possible, −273.15°C, where atoms stop moving.
Examples
- Scientists have never reached absolute zero, but have come very close.
- Scientists have cooled gases close to absolute zero.
- At absolute zero, molecular motion stops entirely.
- Absolute zero is −273.15°C.
zero tolerance
1/zˈɪɹoʊ tˈɑlɚəns/
fixed phrase
No exceptions policy for rules
A rule or law that does not allow any breaking of it at all.
Examples
- The school has a zero tolerance policy on bullying.
- The school has a zero tolerance policy for bullying.
- There is zero tolerance for drunk driving in this state.
- Many airlines now claim to have zero tolerance for violent passengers.
- The company announced zero tolerance toward sexual harassment in the workplace.