English Words Starting With Z

• zayde

  nounLow
  /ˈzeɪ.də/A grandfather; specifically, a Jewish grandfather.
• zaydi

  nounC2 (Very Low Frequency)
  /ˈzeɪdi/A member of a Shia Islamic sect originating in Yemen, known for a relatively moderate stance on leadership succession.
• zayin

  nounVery Low
  /ˈzaɪ.ɪn/The seventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
• zazen

  nounC2
  /ˌzæzˈen/A specific meditative posture and practice in Zen Buddhism, often called 'seated meditation'.
• zb station

  nounHigh
  /ˈsteɪʃ(ə)n/A place or building where a particular public service or transport operation is based or stops.
• zea

  nounRare/Technical
  /ˈziːə/A genus of grasses including maize/corn (Zea mays).
• zeal

  nounC1
  /ziːl/great enthusiasm or eagerness in pursuit of a cause, objective, or goal.
• zealand

  nounLow (as a standalone word); High (as part of 'New Zealand').
  /ˈziːlənd/A proper noun referring primarily to an island in Denmark (Sjælland) or, more commonly, as part of the compound name 'New Zealand'.
• zealot

  nounC1/C2
  /ˈzel.ət/A person who shows excessive and uncompromising enthusiasm, devotion, or belief for a particular cause, often with an intolerant, fanatical, or extreme attitude.
• zeami

  nounVery Low / Obscure
  /zeɪˈɑːmi/ or /ziːˈɑːmi/A specific lexical item for which no established, conventional meaning is found in standard English dictionaries, either as a common noun or proper name in general usage. Analysis defaults to a proper noun context.
• zeatin

  nounC2/Highly Specialized
  /ˈziːətɪn/A natural plant hormone (cytokinin) that promotes cell division and growth.
• zebec

  nounVery Low / Obsolete
  /ˈziːbɛk/A small, fast sailing ship with lateen sails, historically used in the Mediterranean.
• zebedee

  nounC2
  ˈzɛbɪdiːA slang term, primarily British, for a spring-loaded children's toy, often shaped like a monkey or other figure, that moves up and down rapidly. Also an informal, jocular reference to a person who is energetic or bouncy.
• zeboim

  nounExtremely Rare / Obsolete
  /ˈzɛbɔɪm/A rare and archaic word for a specific, small herd of domestic animals, particularly goats or sheep.
• zebra

  nounB1
  /ˈzeb.rə/A large African mammal of the horse family, having distinctive black and white (or sometimes brownish) stripes.
• zebra crossing

  nounMedium-High (UK)/ Low-Medium (US)
  /ˈzeb.rə ˌkrɒs.ɪŋ/A designated place on a road, marked with broad black and white stripes, where pedestrians have priority to cross.
• zebra finch

  nounB2
  /ˈzeb.rə ˌfɪntʃ/A small, seed-eating songbird, native to Australia, characterised by the striking black-and-white striped pattern on the male's throat and chest.
• zebra label

  nounLow (C1/C2)
  /ˈzebrə ˈleɪbəl/A label displaying black and white vertical stripes, historically used on British road signs to indicate a zebra crossing (pedestrian crossing).
• zebra mussel

  nounLow in general conversation; moderate-to-high in environmental science, ecology, water management, and news reporting on invasive species.
  /ˈzebrə ˌmʌsl/A small, freshwater bivalve mollusc, originally native to the lakes of southeast Russia, characterized by a striped pattern on its shell and notorious as an invasive species that clogs water pipes and infrastructure.
• zebra plant

  nounLow-to-Mid
  /ˈzeb.rə ˌplɑːnt/A popular houseplant known for its distinctive dark green leaves with bold, white or yellow veins that resemble zebra stripes.

Showing 101–120 of 568 words.