Meaning of zero in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˈzɪroʊ/

   US accent

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   UK accent

   How to pronounce zero in British English, in context ▾
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1. Verb

   zero

   Definitions

   1. adjust (an instrument or device) to zero value
2. 2. adjust (as by firing under test conditions) the zero of (a gun)

   Examples

   • « He zeroed in his rifle at 200 yards »

3. Classifying Adjective

   zero

   Definitions

   1. indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration

   Examples

   • « a zero score »

   Synonyms

   • cardinal
4. 2. indicating an initial point or origin

   Synonyms

   • ordinal

5. Noun

   zero

   Definitions

   1. a quantity of no importance

   Examples

   • « it looked like nothing I had ever seen before »
   • « reduced to nil all the work we had done »
   • « we racked up a pathetic goose egg »
   • « it was all for naught »
   • « I didn't hear zilch about it »
6. 2. a mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number
7. 3. the quantity that registers a reading of zero on a scale

8. Qualitative Adjective

   zero

   Definitions

   1. of or relating to the null set (a set with no members)