zero
A2 (Elementary)Neutral (used in all registers from technical to everyday)
Definition
Meaning
The number or figure 0; representing nothing, no quantity, or the absence of magnitude.
The lowest point, starting point, or neutral position on a scale; a state of complete absence or insignificance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The concept encompasses mathematical nothingness, a starting point (zero hour), and an extreme low (zero chance). Can imply precision (zero tolerance) or absence (zero evidence).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The verb 'to zero in on' is slightly more common in AmE. BrE historically used 'nought' more for the digit, but 'zero' is now standard. In giving phone numbers, BrE may say 'oh' /əʊ/ for 0, while AmE often says 'zero'.
Connotations
Similar in both. In AmE sports, 'zero' can be used more emphatically for a score ("They got shut out, zero points!").
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties. As a verb, 'zero out' (to reduce to zero) is more established in AmE accounting contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
zero in on [target]zero out [account/balance]be set to zeroreduce to zerodrop to zeroVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “zero in on”
- “zero hour”
- “from zero to hero”
- “zero-sum game”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to targets or growth: 'We're aiming for zero waste in production.' 'The project had zero cost overrun.'
Academic
Mathematical and scientific concept: 'The temperature approached absolute zero.' 'The control group showed zero improvement.'
Everyday
Temperatures, scores, quantities: 'It's three degrees below zero outside.' 'I have zero interest in that show.'
Technical
Precise measurement or calibration: 'Calibrate the instrument to zero before each reading.' 'The error margin is zero.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The technician will zero the scales before weighing.
- The artillery unit zeroed their sights on the target.
American English
- You need to zero out your account balance.
- The investigation is zeroing in on a single suspect.
adverb
British English
- Used adverbially in phrases like 'zero down' (rare). Typically not used as a standalone adverb.
American English
- Used adverbially in phrases like 'zero out' or 'zero in'. Not standard as a standalone adverb.
adjective
British English
- We are striving for a zero-carbon future.
- He showed zero remorse for his actions.
American English
- The contract has a zero-liability clause.
- We had zero visibility in the fog.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The number after nine is ten, and before one is zero.
- It is zero degrees Celsius today.
- My score was zero in the game.
- The chance of rain tomorrow is almost zero.
- You should set the counter back to zero.
- His patience was at zero after the long delay.
- The company adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment.
- The experiment requires the scale to be calibrated to absolute zero.
- Interest rates fell to near zero after the crisis.
- The negotiators are trying to broker a deal that results in zero net emissions.
- The sniper zeroed in on his target with calm precision.
- In game theory, a zero-sum game means one participant's gain is equivalent to another's loss.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a hero starting from ZERO. The 'Z' in zero looks like a zigzag path starting from a round 'O' (the number).
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS VERTICALITY (zero is the bottom), NOTHINGNESS IS A CONTAINER (empty), IMPORTANCE IS SIZE (zero importance is invisibly small).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'zero' as 'ноль' in contexts where 'ничего' (nothing) or 'нуль' (more formal/technical nought) is more idiomatic. E.g., 'I know zero about it' is 'Я ничего об этом не знаю', not 'Я знаю ноль'.
- In temperatures, Russian uses 'ноль' similarly, but watch for 'ниже нуля' (below zero) not '*под нулем'.
- The verb 'to zero in' has no direct equivalent; use 'прицеливаться', 'сосредотачиваться на'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'zero' with plural nouns incorrectly: 'zero mistakes' (not 'zero mistake').
- Confusing 'zero' and '0' (oh) in spoken contexts like phone numbers.
- Misspelling as 'zer0' in formal writing.
- Using 'zero' as an intensifier incorrectly: 'He was zero happy' is non-standard.
Practice
Quiz
In which phrase does 'zero' function as a verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is correct to say 'zero mistakes'. 'Zero' is often followed by a plural countable noun (zero errors, zero points) because it quantifies more than one 'instance of nothing', though usage with singular uncountable nouns is also fine (zero progress).
'Zero' is the standard, neutral term. 'Nought' is a British alternative for the digit 0. 'Nil' is used primarily for sports scores (UK: 'The score was two-nil'). 'Oh' /əʊ/ is used when reciting strings of digits like phone numbers or codes (e.g., 'Room one-oh-seven').
Yes. Common phrasal verbs are 'zero in on' (to focus attention on) and 'zero out' (to reduce a balance or setting to zero). In technical contexts, 'to zero' means to adjust an instrument to read zero.
Literally, the point on the ground directly above or below a nuclear explosion. Figuratively, it means the very beginning or the central point of a significant event, especially a disaster or major change (e.g., 'Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks', 'This lab is ground zero for the new research').
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