3313 words found
Zabaglione is a light, foamy Italian dessert custard made with egg yolks, sugar, and sweet wine (usually Marsala). It is whisked over gentle heat until velvety and airy, often served warm or chilled with fruit. The term also denotes the resulting custard consistency, which is rich, silky, and custardy rather than heavy. It’s a refined dessert associated with Italian culinary tradition and wine-forward flavor.
Zac Efron is a US-born actor known for roles in teen and comedy films. The name is commonly pronounced with two distinct given-name syllables followed by a stretched surname; together, it is used in media and interviews. This entry provides precise pronunciation guidance, phonetic details, and usage context for clear, confident articulation in professional or public-facing speech.
Zacatecas is a proper noun referring to a Mexican state and its capital city. It is pronounced with three stressed syllables in Spanish: za-ca-TE-cas, with the middle syllable reduced to a lighter tone and the final syllable carrying primary stress, yielding a rhythm similar to that of many Spanish place names. In English contexts it’s commonly anglicized as Zah-kah-TEK-us or Zah-ka-TEH-kas, depending on speaker and emphasis. The word’s origin lies in the Nahuatl and Spanish naming traditions used during colonial and post-colonial periods.
Zacchaeus is a proper noun referring to a biblical figure, typically a short tax collector described in the New Testament. The name is used in religious and scholarly contexts and as a proper name in English-speaking communities. It is pronounced with three syllables and an initial stressed syllable, often appearing in sermons, liturgy, and biblical studies.
Zach LaVine is the professional basketball player’s name, pronounced as two given names in sequence: “Zach” and “LaVine.” It functions as a proper noun and is used to reference the athlete in sports media, commentary, and fan discussions. The pronunciation emphasizes crisp initial consonants and a clear second-name vowel, reflecting American naming conventions. The result is a two-part proper noun with distinct syllabic beats.
Zacharias is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, used in various cultural contexts. It derives from the Hebrew Zekharyah through Greek and Latin forms, and is often associated with biblical or religious usage. In modern English, it’s pronounced with multiple syllables and a stress pattern that favors the middle or penultimate syllable, depending on pronunciation tradition.
Zachary is a male given name of Hebrew origin, commonly used in English-speaking countries. It is a short form of Zachariah, meaning 'God has remembered.' In modern use, it functions as a proper noun for individuals and fictional characters, and may appear in religious, educational, or formal contexts with a friendly, approachable tone.
Zachary Quinto is a proper noun, referring to the American actor. The name combines two given names (Zachary) and a surname (Quinto) without pluralization or verb form. In normal speech, it’s pronounced with stress on the first syllable of Zachary and on the first syllable of Quinto, yielding a two-name, two-stress sequence typical of Latin-derived surnames introduced into English usage.
Zadar is a proper noun referring to a historic city on the Adriatic coast of Croatia. It is commonly pronounced with two syllables, the first stressed, and is used in geographic, travel, and cultural contexts. The name carries local pronunciation nuances that reflect Croatian phonology while conforming to English-language usage.
Zaftig is an adjective describing a person (typically a woman) with a full, curvaceous figure, especially in the bust or hips; it conveys abundance in a positive, unabashed sense. It is often used in fashion or literary contexts to acknowledge shapeliness without pejorative intent. The term carries a sophisticated, slightly playful tone and is most common in English-language discourse about body type.
A proper noun referring to a person named Zaid Abdul-Aziz, a former NBA player. The name combines an Arabic given name with a composite surname; in English usage it is pronounced with attention to Arabic vowel sounds and anglicized surname stress. The entry provides precise pronunciation guidance for clear, respectful usage in sports media and conversation.
Zaire is a proper noun referring to a former name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1951–1997). It is also used in historical or geographical contexts. The term is pronounced with two syllables and a mid-to-low vowel quality, and it often carries geopolitical or colonial-era connotations in modern usage.
Zakat is an obligatory, almsgiving practice in Islam, typically calculated as a fixed percentage of one’s wealth to purify it and aid those in need. It functions as one of the Five Pillars, guiding charitable giving and social welfare. The word denotes both the act and the amount designated for such charity, reflecting a duty of believers to support the community.
Zakopane is a town and popular mountain resort in southern Poland, known for its Tatra views and vibrant wooden architecture. The name is used to refer to the area around the town as well as the broader Polish priestly and cultural identity tied to the region. It’s pronounced with Polish phonology and stress placement on the second syllable.
Zambia is a landlocked country in southern Africa, bordered by eight nations and home to diverse cultures and wildlife. The name refers to the Zambezi River and the related region; the pronunciation is a straightforward two-syllable word with stress on the second syllable in many contexts. It is commonly used in geopolitical, travel, and cultural discussions.
Zanamivir is a prescription antiviral medication used to treat and prevent influenza. It belongs to the class of neuraminidase inhibitors and is typically administered via inhalation as a dry powder. The name itself is scientific and not commonly used in casual speech, but accurate pronunciation is essential in clinical conversations and medical documentation.
Zane is a proper noun used primarily as a male given name, or, less commonly, as a surname. It typically denotes a personal identity and is pronounced as a single syllable with a long A vowel. In usage, it’s found in contemporary English-speaking contexts and may appear in fictional or real-world naming conventions.
Zante is a proper noun used chiefly as an alternative name for the Greek island Zakynthos, sometimes referring to the island in a historical or foreign-language context. In modern usage, it appears in travel writing and maps; you may also encounter it in literature or discussion of Ionian geography. The term is often encountered in English-language media as an exonym for the island. Its pronunciation guides how the name is spoken rather than its meaning.
Zany is an adjective meaning amusingly unconventional or whimsically odd, often in a playful, entertaining way. It describes something or someone that is strikingly unconventional enough to be entertaining, sometimes eccentric. The term carries a light, humorous connotation rather than a harsh or critical one.
Zanzibar is a proper noun referring to a semi-autonomous archipelago off the coast of Tanzania, or to the largest island of that group. It is used in historical, geographic, and travel contexts and is often associated with its diverse culture and historic spice trade. In speech, it is pronounced with three syllables, stressing the second syllable, yielding a distinct, rhythmically emphasized name.
Zapotec is an adjective relating to the Zapotec peoples or their language, culture, or regional group in Oaxaca, Mexico. It denotes things associated with Zapotec heritage, such as Zapotec civilization, Zapotec-speaking communities, or Zapotec linguistic features. The term is used as a cultural and ethnolinguistic descriptor rather than a nationality.
Zara Larsson is a Swedish pop singer whose name is commonly encountered in English-language media. The two-part proper name is typically pronounced with stress on the first syllable of each name, yielding a crisp, two-name cadence. Despite Swedish origins, English pronunciation treats both given name and surname with standard English phonology for broad intelligibility.
