zero

¹ze·ro

noun \ˈzē-(ˌ)rō, ˈzir-(ˌ)ō\

plural zeros also zeroes

Definition of ZERO

1

a : the arithmetical symbol 0 or 0̸ denoting the absence of all magnitude or quantity

2

— see number table

3

a (1) : the point of departure in reckoning; specifically : the point from which the graduation of a scale (as of a thermometer) begins

4

: an insignificant person or thing : nonentity

5

a : a state of total absence or neutrality

6

: something arbitrarily or conveniently designated zero

Examples of ZERO

1. Two minus two equals zero.
2. It's supposed to fall below zero tonight.
3. The temperature is 10° above zero.
4. They are working to reduce the mortality rate to zero.

Origin of ZERO

French or Italian; French zéro, from Italian zero, from Medieval Latin zephirum, from Arabic ṣifr

First Known Use: 1598

Related to ZERO

Synonyms: aught, cipher, goose egg, naught (also nought), nil, nothing, o, oh, zilch, zip

Antonyms: big shot, big wheel, bigwig, eminence, figure, kahuna, kingpin, magnate, nabob, personage, somebody, VIP

Related Words: blank, void

Near Antonyms: chief, head, lead, leader; celebrity, luminary, notable, personality, planet, star, superstar; authority, superior; great power, party, power

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

Other Number-Related Terms

jubilee, myriad, quarantine, score, twain