This collection presents 40 Nouns that start with Z, spanning from “zeal” to “zygote”. Many entries are common, high‑utility words useful for writing, teaching, and vocabulary study.
Nouns that start with Z are words that name people, places, things, or ideas beginning with the letter Z. For example, “zeal” reflects enthusiasm, while “zygote” names the single cell formed after fertilization.
Below you’ll find the table with Noun, Definition, and Example.
Noun: The base word you consult to find the term, correct spelling, and common form.
Definition: A concise one-line meaning that clarifies usage and nuance so you quickly understand the word.
Example: A short sentence showing natural use, so you see how to use the noun in context.
Nouns that start with Z
| Noun | Plural/Form | Countability | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| zebra | zebras | countable | A zebra ran across the savannah near the watering hole. |
| zero | zeros | countable | She scored a zero on the math test, unfortunately. |
| zeal | zeal | uncountable | He worked with great zeal on the community project. |
| zealot | zealots | countable | She was labeled a zealot for her political views. |
| zealotry | zealotry | uncountable | Local critics condemned the group’s zealotry during discussions. |
| zenith | zeniths | countable | She finally reached the zenith of her academic career. |
| zen | zen | uncountable | She practiced zen to calm her busy mind before sleeping. |
| zest | zests/zest | both | Add lemon zest to the cake batter for bright flavor. |
| zucchini | zucchinis/zucchini | countable | I cooked a grilled zucchini for dinner last night. |
| zipper | zippers | countable | Her jacket zipper got stuck during the windy morning. |
| zip | zip | uncountable | He got zip on his exam, which surprised his teacher. |
| zinc | zinc | uncountable | The old fence posts were coated in protective zinc. |
| zircon | zircons | countable | She admired the small zircon that looked like a diamond. |
| zigzag | zigzags | countable | The road made a sudden zigzag down the mountain pass. |
| zing | zings | both | Her comment added a zing to the otherwise dull meeting. |
| zodiac | zodiacs | countable | She read her zodiac sign in the newspaper’s weekly horoscope. |
| zoology | zoology | uncountable | He studied zoology to learn about animal behavior and biology. |
| zoologist | zoologists | countable | The zoologist observed primates during the rainforest expedition. |
| zoo | zoos | countable | We took the children to the zoo on Saturday morning. |
| zookeeper | zookeepers | countable | The zookeeper fed the young giraffes before visitors arrived. |
| zygote | zygotes | countable | In biology class we observed a zygote under the microscope. |
| zither | zithers | countable | He played the zither softly during the folk music session. |
| zephyr | zephyrs | countable | A gentle zephyr cooled the afternoon picnic by the lake. |
| zinger | zingers | countable | He finished his speech with a clever zinger that made everyone laugh. |
| zipline | ziplines | countable | We rode the zipline across the canyon at high speed. |
| zillion | zillions | countable | I have a zillion emails to answer after the conference. |
| ziggurat | ziggurats | countable | The ancient ziggurat rose above the flat desert landscape. |
| zoonosis | zoonoses | countable | The pandemic began with a suspected zoonosis from wild animals. |
| zooplankton | zooplankton | uncountable | Scientists measured zooplankton levels in the coastal water samples. |
| zebu | zebu/zebus | countable | A farmer raised a zebu for work and milk in the village. |
| zeolite | zeolites | countable | The geologist examined a zeolite under the polarized light microscope. |
| zirconium | zirconium | uncountable | Zirconium is used in nuclear reactors and specialized alloys. |
| zone | zones | countable | They built a quiet zone around the school for safety. |
| zeugma | zeugmas/zeugmata | countable | The essay used a zeugma to create a clever rhetorical effect. |
| zine | zines | countable | She published a small zine about local art and culture. |
| zeitgeist | zeitgeist | uncountable | The novel captured the zeitgeist of its turbulent political era. |
| zoomorphism | zoomorphisms | countable | The poet used zoomorphism to compare humans to wild animals. |
| zombie | zombies | countable | The movie featured a horde of slow-moving zombies chasing survivors. |
| zester | zesters | countable | Use a zester to remove orange peel for the recipe. |
| zouk | zouk | uncountable | They danced zouk to the rhythmic island music all night. |
Descriptions
zebra
African equine mammal with black and white stripes, often seen in zoos and savannahs.
zero
Numerical value representing none or naught, used in math and everyday counts.
zeal
Strong enthusiasm and energetic devotion to a cause, activity, or goal, often.
zealot
A person with fanatical and uncritical commitment to a belief or cause.
zealotry
Fanatical or extreme devotion to a cause, often leading to intolerance and conflict.
zenith
The highest point or peak of something, literal or metaphorical, representing climax.
zen
A school of Buddhism and a state of calm, mindfulness and simplicity.
zest
Citrus peel used for flavor, or enthusiasm and lively enjoyment in life.
zucchini
A summer squash commonly used in cooking, mild flavored and versatile, especially grilled.
zipper
A fastening device with interlocking teeth, used on clothing and bags, often easily repaired.
zip
Informal term meaning nothing or zero, used in casual speech and writing.
zinc
A metallic chemical element used for galvanizing and alloys, widely used industrially.
zircon
A gemstone often used as a diamond substitute, available in various colors and affordable.
zigzag
A line or course with sharp alternating turns or angles, back and forth.
zing
Liveliness or sharpness in taste or speech, often a witty remark that sharpens interest.
zodiac
A circle of twelve astrological signs representing personality and fate in astrology.
zoology
Scientific study of animals, including behavior, structure, classification, and ecology in nature.
zoologist
A scientist who studies animals, their biology, behavior, and ecosystems in wild and lab settings.
zoo
A park where live animals are kept for public viewing, education, and conservation.
zookeeper
A person who cares for animals at a zoo, managing feeding and welfare.
zygote
A fertilized cell formed by fusion of sperm and egg, beginning development.
zither
A stringed musical instrument, plucked or strummed, used in folk traditions worldwide.
zephyr
A soft, gentle breeze; often used poetically to describe light wind and calm.
zinger
A witty or striking remark delivering surprise, humor, or emphasis at the end.
zipline
A cable system for gliding from one point to another, used recreationally.
zillion
An informal, hyperbolic term for an indefinitely large number, playful in speech.
ziggurat
A stepped, pyramid-like structure from ancient Mesopotamia, often religious in purpose and ceremonies.
zoonosis
An infectious disease transmitted from animals to humans, important in public health discussions.
zooplankton
Tiny drifting animals in water ecosystems, key to aquatic food webs and ecology.
zebu
A domesticated cattle species with a hump, common in tropical regions for work.
zeolite
A porous mineral used in filtration and catalysis, common in geology and industry.
zirconium
Chemical element used in industry and nuclear applications, corrosion-resistant metal with useful properties.
zone
An area or region set apart for a specific purpose or characteristic.
zeugma
A figure of speech where one word governs two others in different senses.
zine
A small, independently produced magazine or booklet, often niche, DIY, and creative.
zeitgeist
The dominant ideas, spirit, or mood of a particular historical period or culture.
zoomorphism
Assigning animal traits to humans or objects, a literary device for vivid imagery.
zombie
A fictional undead being popular in horror stories, games, and popular culture.
zester
A kitchen tool for scraping citrus peel to obtain flavorful colored outer zest.
zouk
A dance music genre from the Caribbean, lively and rhythmically driven, popular in clubs.