--- title: Z — The English dictionary with trees and pragmatics description: The 35 words of the English dictionary under Z, every meaning for a pupil and every example with its dependency tree and pragmatics. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Z/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/) / [English dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/) / Z # Z — The English dictionary The words of the English dictionary under Z: 35 words, every meaning and example parsed by Mova; the ↗ after a sentence leads to the word's page, with every sentence's syntax tree and pragmatics. [A](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/A/) · [B](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/B/) · [C](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/C/) · [D](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/D/) · [E](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/E/) · [F](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/F/) · [G](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/G/) · [H](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/H/) · [I](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/I/) · [J](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/J/) · [K](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/K/) · [L](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/L/) · [M](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/M/) · [N](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/N/) · [O](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/O/) · [P](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/P/) · [Q](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Q/) · [R](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/R/) · [S](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/S/) · [T](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/T/) · [U](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/U/) · [V](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/V/) · [W](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/W/) · [X](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/X/) · [Y](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Y/) · [Z](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Z/) **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Z/page/2/) **zag** — *In Jewish tradition, meaning 1:* One of the sharp turns in a zigzag line, where the line changes direction.[↗](zag/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Many Kabalists have shown how the Ten Sephiruth are symbolized by the zig-zag lightning flash.[↗](zag/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)[↗](zag/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") **zakat** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (Islam) The giving of a fixed part of one's wealth each year to the poor and needy; it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.[↗](zakat/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* For most savings it is one-fortieth (2.5 per cent) of the wealth a Muslim has kept for a full year above a set minimum.[↗](zakat/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Zakat is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.[↗](zakat/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · My friend's family pays zakat every year.[↗](zakat/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Zakat helps the poor and needy.[↗](zakat/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · If you have 800 pounds of savings, the zakat is 20 pounds.[↗](zakat/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Before Eid, Muslims give zakat al-fitr so everyone can celebrate.[↗](zakat/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Zakat means «purifying» because giving cleans the heart of greed.[↗](zakat/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **zap** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (informal) To destroy, kill or hit something quickly, as with a ray gun or electricity.[↗](zap/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (informal) To give a small electric shock.[↗](zap/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (informal) To heat food in a microwave.[↗](zap/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* (informal) To move or send quickly: zap a message.[↗](zap/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 5:* (interjection) A sound word for a sudden flash or hit.[↗](zap/#m5 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The alien zapped the robot with a laser.[↗](zap/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Zap the soup in the microwave for two minutes.[↗](zap/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · I got zapped by static when I touched the door handle.[↗](zap/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The game lets you zap monsters for points.[↗](zap/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Zap\![↗](zap/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") The lights went out.[↗](zap/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The teacher zapped the photos to our class page.[↗](zap/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **zayin** — *In Jewish tradition, meaning 1:* The seventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet, with a "z" sound.[↗](zayin/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* == Chapter 5 == \[5:1\] Twelve Simple Letters, Heh-Waw Zayin-Chet Tet-Yod Lamed-Nun ʽAyin-Samekh Tzadi-Qof—Their foundation is Seeing, Hearing, Smelling, Talking, Eating, Sex, Work, Movement, Excitement, Play, Contemplation, Sleep.[↗](zayin/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation)[↗](zayin/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · He made the letter Zayin reign, and bound to it a crown, and formed with it Gemini in the World, and Siwan in the year, and the right leg in the Person.[↗](zayin/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation)[↗](zayin/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") **zeal** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Great energy and eagerness in doing something, especially in serving a cause or a person.[↗](zeal/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* She worked with zeal to finish the picture.[↗](zeal/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · His zeal for football made him train every day.[↗](zeal/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The guard showed great zeal in keeping the gate.[↗](zeal/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Students with zeal often learn fast.[↗](zeal/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The zeal of the LORD of hosts doth perform this.[↗](zeal/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") (Prophets ISA.9.6, JPS 1917)[↗](zeal/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · My zeal hath undone me, because mine adversaries have forgotten Thy words.[↗](zeal/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") (Writings PSA.119.139, JPS 1917)[↗](zeal/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · And he said: 'Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD.'[↗](zeal/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") So they made him ride in his chariot.[↗](zeal/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") (Prophets 2KI.10.16, JPS 1917)[↗](zeal/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **zealander** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* «Zealander» is mostly part of «New Zealander», a person who comes from New Zealand.[↗](zealander/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* On its own, a Zealander is a person from Zealand, a region of Denmark or the Netherlands (Zeeland).[↗](zealander/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* My penfriend is a New Zealander from Auckland.[↗](zealander/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · New Zealanders are often called Kiwis.[↗](zealander/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Many New Zealanders love rugby.[↗](zealander/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · The famous climber was a New Zealander.[↗](zealander/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Zealand is an island in Denmark, so a Zealander lives there.[↗](zealander/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Our class talked to New Zealanders on a video call.[↗](zealander/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **zealot** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A zealot is a person who is too strong and fierce in their beliefs, especially in religion or politics.[↗](zealot/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (Bible, history) The Zealots were a group of Jewish people in the time of Jesus who fought against Roman rule.[↗](zealot/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The zealot shouted at everyone who disagreed.[↗](zealot/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Simon the Zealot was one of Jesus's twelve apostles.[↗](zealot/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Zealots can be dangerous when they refuse to listen.[↗](zealot/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · He is a zealot about tidiness.[↗](zealot/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The Zealots fought against Rome.[↗](zealot/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Don't be a zealot; listen to others.[↗](zealot/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **zealous** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Very eager and hard-working in doing something, often out of loyalty or belief.[↗](zealous/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The zealous servants cleaned the palace.[↗](zealous/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · He was a zealous helper of the king.[↗](zealous/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Zealous children tidied the room before the guests came.[↗](zealous/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Her zealous followers set off at dawn.[↗](zealous/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") **zebra** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A zebra is a wild African animal like a horse with black and white stripes.[↗](zebra/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") A zebra has 4 legs.[↗](zebra/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* A zebra crossing (UK) is a place on a road with black and white stripes where people can cross.[↗](zebra/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The zoo has 6 zebras.[↗](zebra/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · How many legs do 6 zebras have?[↗](zebra/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · 3 zebras and 2 lions drink water.[↗](zebra/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Each zebra eats 8 kg of grass.[↗](zebra/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · No two zebras have the same stripes.[↗](zebra/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · A herd of zebras ran across the plain.[↗](zebra/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · Cross the road at the zebra crossing.[↗](zebra/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · Zebras live in Africa and eat grass.[↗](zebra/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") **zed** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand) The name of the last letter of the alphabet, Z.[↗](zed/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (informal) «Catch some zeds» means get some sleep, because cartoon sleepers show «zzz».[↗](zed/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The alphabet goes from A to zed.[↗](zed/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · «Zebra» starts with a zed.[↗](zed/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Americans say «zee» but we say «zed».[↗](zed/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Spell «zoo»: zed, oh, oh.[↗](zed/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · I'm off to catch some zeds.[↗](zed/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Write a capital zed at the end.[↗](zed/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **zee** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (US, Canada sometimes) The name of the letter Z in American English.[↗](zee/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (informal) Zees, or z's, means sleep, as in catch some z's, because cartoons show sleep with zzz.[↗](zee/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* In the USA, the last letter of the alphabet is called zee.[↗](zee/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · In Australia we say zed, but my American cousin says zee.[↗](zee/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The alphabet song in America ends with x, y and zee.[↗](zee/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · I'm going to catch some zees before the trip.[↗](zee/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Zebra begins with zee in American speech.[↗](zee/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Canadians usually say zed, but some say zee.[↗](zee/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **zenith** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (science) The point in the sky directly above your head.[↗](zenith/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* The highest point a heavenly body such as the Sun reaches in the sky.[↗](zenith/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* The time when something is most powerful or successful; the peak.[↗](zenith/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* At noon the Sun was almost at its zenith.[↗](zenith/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The zenith is the point in the sky right above your head.[↗](zenith/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The Roman Empire reached its zenith about 1,900 years ago.[↗](zenith/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · At the zenith of her career, she won three gold medals.[↗](zenith/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The star climbed slowly towards the zenith.[↗](zenith/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The opposite of the zenith is the nadir.[↗](zenith/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · It took the prince on its back and soared away to the zenith.[↗](zenith/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **zephyr** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A soft, gentle breeze, especially a warm one on a summer day.[↗](zephyr/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* A zephyr blew through the trees.[↗](zephyr/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · The zephyr cooled our faces on the hill.[↗](zephyr/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The little zephyr kissed the flowers.[↗](zephyr/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · A warm zephyr lifted the kite.[↗](zephyr/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") **zero** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Zero is the number 0, which means none, nothing at all.[↗](zero/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Zero is the point on a scale where counting starts, such as 0 on a ruler or thermometer.[↗](zero/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* Zero degrees Celsius is the temperature at which water freezes.[↗](zero/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 4:* To zero in on something is to aim straight at it or focus on it closely.[↗](zero/#m4 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Five take away five is zero.[↗](zero/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Any number times zero is zero.[↗](zero/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · It was below zero last night, so the pond froze.[↗](zero/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Our team scored zero goals in the first half.[↗](zero/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Count down: three, two, one, zero, lift-off\![↗](zero/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · In the number 407 the zero holds the tens place.[↗](zero/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The eagle zeroed in on a rabbit in the field.[↗](zero/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · The ruler starts at zero, not at one.[↗](zero/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") · His first feeling was of anger; his next that his temper fell to zero.[↗](zero/#x9 "tree and pragmatics") · Was the Zero a secret known to the Pythagoreans.?[↗](zero/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))[↗](zero/#x10 "tree and pragmatics") · Some believed that the Zero, 0 preceded the One, 1.[↗](zero/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))[↗](zero/#x11 "tree and pragmatics") · to Boethius, the Neo-Pythagoreans used as a symbol for zero.[↗](zero/#x12 "tree and pragmatics") (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914))[↗](zero/#x12 "tree and pragmatics") **zhou** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* (a name) The Zhou dynasty ruled China for about 800 years, from about 1046 BC to 256 BC, longer than any other Chinese dynasty.[↗](zhou/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* (a name) Zhou is a common Chinese surname, as in Zhou Enlai, a Chinese premier.[↗](zhou/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* (Mandarin, pinyin) zhōu can mean "week" (xīngqī and zhōu both mean week), "state" or "province", or "porridge/congee" (粥 zhōu).[↗](zhou/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") It sounds like "joe" to an English ear.[↗](zhou/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") It is not an English word.[↗](zhou/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The Zhou dynasty lasted about 800 years.[↗](zhou/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Confucius lived near the end of the Zhou dynasty.[↗](zhou/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Zhōumò means "weekend" in Mandarin.[↗](zhou/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Zhou is a common family name in China.[↗](zhou/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Many Chinese people eat zhōu, rice porridge, for breakfast.[↗](zhou/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · "Zhou" sounds a bit like "joe".[↗](zhou/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **zib** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* Zib is not an ordinary English word and is not in normal English dictionaries.[↗](zib/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* It may be a piece of a longer word, a sound or name invented for a story or game, or a word borrowed from another language.[↗](zib/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The alien in the comic was called Zib.[↗](zib/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · «Zib, zib!» went the little robot as it beeped.[↗](zib/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · Did you mean «zip», not «zib»?[↗](zib/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · In the word game, Zib was a nonsense word.[↗](zib/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · The puzzle asked us to change «zib» into a real word by changing one letter: «zip».[↗](zib/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · We couldn't find «zib» in the dictionary.[↗](zib/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The story's made-up planet was called Zib-Zob.[↗](zib/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") **zig** — *In Jewish tradition, meaning 1:* One of the sharp turns in a zigzag line, where the line changes direction.[↗](zig/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* Many Kabalists have shown how the Ten Sephiruth are symbolized by the zig-zag lightning flash.[↗](zig/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893)[↗](zig/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") **ziggurat** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A very large ancient tower built in steps, getting smaller towards the top, with a temple on the highest level.[↗](ziggurat/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* Ziggurats were built in ancient Mesopotamia (now mostly Iraq) by peoples such as the Sumerians and Babylonians.[↗](ziggurat/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* Any building that rises in flat steps like this.[↗](ziggurat/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The Great Ziggurat of Ur was built of mud bricks.[↗](ziggurat/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · A ziggurat had a temple at the very top.[↗](ziggurat/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · We built a ziggurat out of Lego blocks, each layer smaller.[↗](ziggurat/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Ziggurats are not the same as Egyptian pyramids.[↗](ziggurat/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Priests climbed the steps of the ziggurat.[↗](ziggurat/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · The hotel was shaped like a ziggurat, with gardens on each step.[↗](ziggurat/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") **zigzag** — *Everyday, meaning 1:* A zigzag is a line that goes sharply one way and then sharply the other way, again and again, like the letter Z or W.[↗](zigzag/#m1 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 2:* To zigzag is to move forward by turning from side to side, again and again.[↗](zigzag/#m2 "tree and pragmatics") *Everyday, meaning 3:* Zigzag describes anything shaped like that, such as a zigzag pattern.[↗](zigzag/#m3 "tree and pragmatics") *Example:* The path zigzags up the side of the mountain.[↗](zigzag/#x1 "tree and pragmatics") · Draw a zigzag line across the top of your page.[↗](zigzag/#x2 "tree and pragmatics") · The rabbit zigzagged across the field to get away from the fox.[↗](zigzag/#x3 "tree and pragmatics") · Lightning made a bright zigzag in the sky.[↗](zigzag/#x4 "tree and pragmatics") · Do not park on the zigzag lines by the school crossing.[↗](zigzag/#x5 "tree and pragmatics") · Her dress had a red and white zigzag pattern.[↗](zigzag/#x6 "tree and pragmatics") · The skier zigzagged down the slope.[↗](zigzag/#x7 "tree and pragmatics") · Like a lightning flash the slender stem shot upwards in a zigzag line, the branches spreading around it like green gauze and banners.[↗](zigzag/#x8 "tree and pragmatics") **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Z/page/2/) - ← previous: [Y](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Y/) - next →: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/Z/page/2/) - ↑ back to [The English dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/english/)