Words Starting with "Z"

Zarephath is a proper noun referring to a biblical town and a place name used in various modern contexts. It denotes a specific geographic location and, by extension, a proper noun with historical and cultural associations. The term is pronounced with a multsyllabic structure and a distinctive stress pattern that distinguishes it from common nouns.

Zaria is a proper noun used primarily as a female given name, and occasionally as a place name. It denotes a personal identity or a geographic location and carries a modern, melodic cadence. In usage, it appears in conversational, biographical, and cultural contexts, often signifying distinction and individuality.

A Polish-born American political scientist and diplomat (1928–2017), best known as a foreign policy advisor and National Security Advisor to the United States. The name is often encountered in biographical and historical contexts, and its pronunciation poses challenges due to Polish phonology and unfamiliar consonant clusters. Accurate articulation requires attention to non-English phonemes and stress patterns within the full name.

Zeal is intense enthusiasm or passion for a person, cause, or activity. It denotes fervent eagerness and energetic devotion, often translating into vigorous advocacy or work. In usage, zeal implies both motivation and commitment that surpasses ordinary interest, occasionally coloring actions with zealot-like fervor within a context.

Zealot (noun) refers to a person who is fanatically committed to a cause or belief, often to an extreme or uncompromising degree. It conveys intensity of devotion, sometimes implying an impatient or militant fervor. The term can carry negative connotations when describing behavior that is rigid, aggressive, or intolerant toward opposing views.

Zealous is an adjective describing ardent or fanatical interest or enthusiasm, often in support of a cause or activity. It conveys intense passion and dedication, sometimes to the point of excess. In usage, it characterizes people or actions marked by energetic, wholehearted commitment.

Zealously is an adverb meaning with extreme enthusiasm or fervor, often implying a passionate, devoted manner. It connotes acting with intense energy and commitment, sometimes bordering on zeal. Used to describe actions, advocacy, or pursuit carried out with fervent dedication.

Zeaxanthin is a xanthophyll pigment found in plants, responsible for yellow-orange coloration and used in nutrition science as a carotenoid with antioxidant properties. It occurs naturally in foods like corn and leafy greens and is important for eye health. As a noun, it denotes a specific chemical compound, often discussed in biochemistry and nutrition contexts.

Zebra is a noun referring to an African wild horse with distinctive black-and-white stripes. Commonly used to denote the striped animal, it is also used metaphorically (e.g., bleached patterns, brand names). In English, the word is typically stressed on the first syllable: ZEE-brə or ZEH-brə, depending on dialect, and it functions as a single-myllable noun in casual speech with notable final schwa.”

Zebulon is a proper noun used as a given name or place name. It refers to a biblical figure in some translations, and in modern usage appears as a personal name or location designation. The term carries a formal, historical connotation and is pronounced with clear, stressed syllables, typically in two or three parts depending on the speaker's tradition.

Zebulun is a proper noun referring to one of the twelve tribes of Israel, traditionally associated with the northern region of the land allotted to the tribe. In biblical and historical contexts, it denotes a territorial and genealogical lineage rather than a common noun. It’s pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable, and its uncommon consonant cluster requires careful articulation for accurate reception in liturgical, historical, or scholarly use.

Zechariah is a male given name of Hebrew origin, most famously borne by a biblical prophet. In English contexts it is pronounced with multiple syllables and a stressed second-to-last vowel in many pronunciations, yielding a formal, slightly accented cadence. The name carries historical and religious resonance and is used mainly in religious, academic, and classical references.

Zeiss is a German surname and brand name commonly used for high-end optics (lenses, cameras). In English contexts, it’s treated as a proper noun with a voiced, single-syllable or two-syllable appearance depending on speaker, often approximated as zīss. The word carries a strong brand association and is used in technical and consumer optics discussions.

Zeitgeist is a noun meaning the spirit, mood, or general cultural climate of a particular period in history. It encapsulates prevailing attitudes, ideas, and trends that define an era. The term combines German roots to describe the collective consciousness of a society at a specific time.

Zelophehad is a biblical male given name from the Hebrew Bible, notably borne by one of the members of the Tribe of Manasseh who petitioned for inheritance for daughters. The name appears in genealogical and legal narratives, and is often cited in discussions of biblical inheritance laws. In pronunciation, it presents unfamiliar Hebrew phonology for English speakers and is used primarily in scholarly or religious contexts.

Zenith is the point in the sky or an arc directly above an observer, traditionally the highest point reached by a celestial body or a career milestone. In figurative use, it denotes the peak or culmination of something. The term conveys culmination, apex, or climax, often implying the ultimate apex within a given context.

Zephaniah is a proper noun, a male given name of biblical origin. It designates a prophet in the Hebrew Bible and is sometimes used as a personal name in English-speaking contexts. The pronunciation is distinctive, with multiple consonant clusters and a final unstressed syllable, which can challenge non-native speakers.

Zephyr is a noun meaning a gentle, westerly breeze, often used poetically. It can also refer to a soft, light fabric or a meteorological term for a mild wind. In literature and rhetoric, it conveys a sense of subtle, refreshing alacrity and lightness.

Zephyrus is a proper noun referring to the Greek god of the west wind and, more broadly, a mythic or literary wind figure. It also appears as a poetic or classical European proper noun in names and literature. The term conveys a sense of gentle, directional wind from the west. It is used in scholarly, literary, and fantastical contexts more than everyday speech.

Zeppelin is a large, rigid airship historically used for reconnaissance and passenger transport. The term also references the German-made airships developed in the early 20th century by Ferdinand von Zeppelin. In modern usage it often evokes the iconic Zeppelin brand or the concept of airship travel rather than practical craft in everyday speech.

Zermatt is a proper noun referring to a Swiss alpine village popular for skiing and mountaineering. It denotes a distinct destination name rather than a common noun, and is typically used in travel, tourism, and geography contexts. The pronunciation is often debated among non-native speakers due to its Germanic roots and the initial “Z” cluster uncommon in some languages.

Zero is a numerical value representing the absence of quantity or a starting point in counting. It can function as a noun (the number itself), an adjective (zero tolerance), or a pronoun in certain contexts. In everyday use, it often signifies null or nothing, and it also appears in mathematical, scientific, and symbolic expressions.

Zeruiah is a proper noun, typically a female given name of Hebrew origin. It refers to one of King David’s sisters in biblical texts and is sometimes used as a personal name in religious or historical contexts. The pronunciation emphasizes syllables evenly, with a slightly stressed first syllable, yielding a melodic, biblical-tone rhythm.