This list includes 14 SAT words that start with Z, from “zany” to “zoom”. These entries are concise, high-impact vocabulary useful for SAT reading, essay writing, and quick recall.

SAT words that start with Z are often vivid or spare terms that help you express specific ideas clearly. Because Z is rare in English, many Z-words feel memorable, such as “zealous” and “zenith”.

Below you’ll find the table with Word, Difficulty, Definition, and Example sentence.

Word: The vocabulary entry itself; you use it to recognize and recall the term during practice tests and real exam questions.

Difficulty: A concise easy/medium/hard tag that helps you prioritize study time and plan review sessions effectively.

Definition: A one-line, dictionary-style meaning that gives you a clear, test-ready sense of how the word is used.

Example sentence: A single, natural sentence showing typical usage so you can see context and practice applying the word.

SAT words that start with Z

WordPart of speechDifficultyDefinition
zealnounmediumgreat energy or enthusiasm for a cause.
zealousadj.mediummarked by fervent support or enthusiastic devotion.
zealotnounmediuma fanatically committed person, often in politics or religion.
zealotrynounhardfanatical or extreme behavior in pursuit of ideals.
zenithnounmediumthe highest point or culmination.
zephyrnounharda gentle, mild breeze, often used poetically.
zanyadj.mediumamusingly unconventional or eccentric; comically odd.
zestnouneasygreat enthusiasm or keen interest; also citrus peel.
zestfuladj.mediumfull of lively enthusiasm or energy.
zodiacnounharda band of celestial signs used in astrology; diagram of signs.
zonenouneasyan area or region distinguished by features or function.
zonaladj.hardrelating to a specific zone or region.
zoologynounmediumthe scientific study of animals.
zoomverbeasyto move or increase rapidly; to magnify visually.

Descriptions

zeal
Enthusiastic devotion to a cause. She pursued reform with zeal.
zealous
Marked by fervent support or enthusiastic devotion. He was zealous in defending the proposal.
zealot
A fanatically committed person, often in politics or religion. The debate was dominated by a zealot who refused compromise.
zealotry
Fanatical or extreme behavior in pursuit of ideals. Accusations of zealotry undermined the group’s credibility.
zenith
The highest point or culmination. At the author’s zenith, her books topped best-seller lists.
zephyr
A gentle, mild breeze; often poetic. A cool zephyr rustled the summer leaves.
zany
Amusingly unconventional or eccentric. His zany suggestions lightened the tense meeting.
zest
Great enthusiasm or keen interest; also citrus peel. She attacked the project with zest.
zestful
Full of lively enthusiasm or energy. The speaker gave a zestful talk that energized the crowd.
zodiac
Band of celestial signs used in astrology; cultural reference. The novel referenced characters born under different zodiac signs.
zone
An area or region distinguished by features or function. The coach marked the defensive zone during practice.
zonal
Relating to a specific zone or region. Zonal climate patterns shaped the vegetation.
zoology
The scientific study of animals. She studied zoology before specializing in animal behavior.
zoom
To move or increase rapidly; to magnify visually. The population seemed to zoom after the new factory opened.
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