nouns-that-start-with-z

320 Nouns That Start with Z | Huge List with Definitions and Examples

Let’s zig, zag and zap our way with the most zestful nouns that start with Z! The almighty letter Z is the last alphabet of English and stands tall at the end to wind up the alphabets.

Nouns beginning with Z are full of zeal and are destined to trap your scrabble and wordplay with opponents in an intellectual zoo! Turn up your letter Z ability with our amazing collection of nouns that start with Z!

The letter Z is one of the English language’s rarest letters that’s why, nouns starting with Z are necessarily unusual, weird and not very often. But even then, there are so many words that contain the letter Z that you can use in your daily conversation, in your emails, letters, social media posts or just to boost up your vocabulary. Prepare to be amazed as they are waiting for you!

We’ve carefully curated below this useful list of nouns that start with Z for you if you need a refresher on nouns. Glaze over the scrabble and wordplay competition with our incredible collection of Z nouns. We hope you will find something here you are looking for.

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Nouns That Start with Z You Always Use

The more nouns you know in English language, the better you will be able to master your English skills and to communicate your ideas. Here, we’ll take a closer look of some nouns that start with Z you always use in your daily life:

1. Zebra

  • Definition: an African wild horse with black-and-white stripes and an erect mane
  • Synonyms: stripped animal, burro, stripped equine
  • Example: The zebra galloped away from the lion.

2. Zigzag

  • Definition: a line or course having abrupt alternate right and left turns
  • Synonyms: snaky, winding
  • Example: She traced a zigzag on the metal with her finger.

3. Zinc

  • Definition: the chemical element of atomic number 30, a silvery-white metal that is a constituent of brass and is used for coating (galvanizing) iron and steel to protect against corrosion
  • Synonyms: ore, silver, bronze
  • Example: Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.

4. Zinger

  • Definition: a striking or amusing remark
  • Synonyms: witticism joke, quick sly comment
  • Example: He always greeted me with a new zinger.

5. Zip

  • Definition: a device consisting of two flexible strips of metal or plastic with interlocking projections closed or opened by pulling a slide along them, used to fasten garments, bags, and other items
  • Synonyms: drawstring, cufflink, buckle
  • Example: The jacket was fastened by a zip at the front.

6. Zipper

  • Definition: a fastener consisting of two rows of metal or plastic teeth on strips of tape and a sliding piece that closes an opening by drawing the teeth together
  • Synonyms: slide-fastener, velcro, skirt-fastener
  • Example: The zipper was stuck and we couldn’t open the suitcase.

7. Zone

  • Definition: an area or stretch of land having a particular characteristic, purpose, or use, or subject to particular restrictions
  • Synonyms: area, sector, section
  • Example: You will not be permitted to enter the construction zone unless you are wearing a hardhat.

8. Zakat

  • Definition: an annual alms tax or poor rate that each Muslim is expected to pay as a religious duty and that is used for charitable and religious purposes
  • Synonyms: endowment, offering, aid
  • Example: He argues that they are devilish animals and the act of paying zakat purifies them.

9. Zoo

  • Definition: an establishment which maintains a collection of wild animals, typically in a park or gardens, for study, conservation, or display to the public
  • Synonyms: wildlife park, menagerie, zoological garden
  • Example: In the zoo we saw many monkeys running round in the cage.

Nouns That Start with Z You Usually Use

Nouns are the basic building blocks to build a strong and efficient English vocabulary. Let’s stroll down through a list of some nouns starting with Z and see how you can use them in your daily conversation:

1. Zoology

  • Definition: the scientific study of the behaviour, structure, physiology, classification, and distribution of animals
  • Synonyms: entomology, biological science
  • Example: He’s studying zoology at university.

2. Zero

  • Definition: the arithmetical symbol 0 or denoting the absence of all magnitude or quantity
  • Synonyms: aught, cipher, goose egg
  • Example: It’s supposed to fall below zero tonight.

3. Zest

  • Definition: great enthusiasm and energy
  • Synonyms: enthusiasm, keenness, eagerness
  • Example: It’s wonderful to see the children’s zest for life.

4. Zeal

  • Definition: great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective
  • Synonyms: passion, love, ardor
  • Example: We depend entirely upon the zeal, integrity and loyalty of the individual policeman.

5. Zealander

  • Definition: a native or inhabitant of Zealand in Denmark
  • Synonyms: kiwi, maorilander, aotearoan
  • Example: I am a Zealander who is currently in Seoul.

6. Zenith

  • Definition: the time at which something is most powerful or successful
  • Synonyms: high point, top, apex
  • Example: The sun reaches its zenith at midday.

7. Zebrawood

  • Definition: a tall western African timber tree (Microberlinia brazzavillensis) of the legume family
  • Synonyms: wood, hornbeam, conifer
  • Example: Zebrawood, a rich wood often used in guitar construction, is incorporated into the hotel lobby and guestrooms.

8. Zoning

  • Definition: the act of setting rules for the use of land and the types of structures that can be built on it
  • Synonyms: partition, city planning, division
  • Example: The town’s new zoning establishes a height limit of eight stories on any new building.

Nouns That Start with Z You Often Use

With the help of often used nouns beginning with Z, we start learning English and build vocabulary towards our language learning goals. Let’s roll up our sleeves and pluck few nouns that begin with the letter Z.

1. Zimbabwe

  • Definition: a country in Southern Africa
  • Synonyms: rhodesia, republic of Zimbabwe
  • Example: He was born in Zimbabwe where he completed his first degree in economics.

2. Zodiac

  • Definition: an area of the sky in which the positions of the sun, moon, stars, and planets are believed in astrology to influence human behavior, and which is divided into twelve equal sections
  • Synonyms: astrological diagram, astrologer’s chart
  • Example: Zodiac’s cross circle symbol was in the place of the usual return address.

3. Z-axis

  • Definition: a reference axis of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system along which the z-coordinate is measured
  • Synonyms: coordinate axis
  • Example: The turtle will start at the origin with the Z-axis as forward direction and y-axis as left direction.

4. Z-score

  • Definition: z-score gives you an idea of how far from the mean a data point is
  • Synonyms: standard score
  • Example: The higher the Z-score of a company, the stronger its financial position.

5. Zag

  • Definition: a sharp change of direction in a zigzag course
  • Synonyms: deviate, stray, wander
  • Example: We travelled in a series of zigs and zags.

6. Zap

  • Definition: a sudden effect or event that makes a dramatic impact, especially a sudden burst of energy or sound
  • Synonyms: impact, blow, stroke
  • Example: Then there was another zap.

7. Zeaxanthin

  • Definition: a deep yellow carotenoid pigment present in the retina of the eye and in some plants, used as a food additive and supplement
  • Synonyms: beta carotene, lycopene, lutein
  • Example: Eat colorfully leafy greens are great sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that help protect vision.

8. Zucchini

  • Definition: the immature fruit of a vegetable marrow; a courgette
  • Synonyms: courgette, marrow squash, vegetable marrow
  • Example: Just rinse off the zucchini and dry it.

Nouns That Start with Z You Sometimes Use

It is important to have a large vocabulary of sometimes used nouns in English. In this category, you will walk over a list of some nouns that start with the letter Z to help you enhance your ever increasing vocabulary.

1. Zebrafish

  • Definition: a very small blue-and-silver-striped Indian danio often kept in the tropical aquarium
  • Synonyms: slender freshwater fish, brachydanio rerio
  • Example: Singapore scientists gave the naturally black-and-silver zebrafish a fluorescent red glow by inserting a sea anemone gene.

2. Zee

  • Definition: the last letter of the English alphabet; Z
  • Synonyms: z, zed
  • Example: Tianna defiantly pronounces the last letter of the alphabet in the American fashion, “zee.”

3. Zig

  • Definition: one of the sharp turns, angles, or alterations in a zigzag course
  • Synonyms: bend, curve, crook
  • Example: He went round and round in zigs and zags.

4. Zinfandel

  • Definition: a variety of wine grape grown in California
  • Synonyms: common grape wine, red wine, wine
  • Example: Enjoy our Zinfandel for its ample and full-flavored style.

5. Zillion

  • Definition: an indeterminately large number
  • Synonyms: gazillion, billion, trillion
  • Example: There are a zillion fast food restaurants around here.

6. Zine

  • Definition: a magazine, especially a fanzine
  • Synonyms: journal, newspaper, booklet
  • Example: This zine is no longer available.

7. Zing

  • Definition: energy, enthusiasm, or liveliness
  • Synonyms: appetite, eagerness, keenness
  • Example: We want to put more zing into our advertising.

8. Zoster

  • Definition: shingles
  • Synonyms: herpes zoster virus, tinea
  • Example: The varicella zoster virus can cause chickenpox in children.

Nouns That Start with Z You Occasionally Use

For a beginner of English language, it’s essential to learn the right English vocabulary nouns, so you don’t waste your time trying to memorize a huge collection of nouns with very little benefit. Let’s have a look at some nouns with letter Z you occasionally use in your daily life:

1. Zephyr

  • Definition: a soft gentle breeze
  • Synonyms: gentle wind, light air, sea breeze
  • Example: I feel very comfortable in the zephyr from the sea.

2. Ziggurat

  • Definition: an ancient Mesopotamian temple tower consisting of a lofty pyramidal structure built in successive stages with outside staircases and a shrine at the top
  • Synonyms: temple, architecture, construction
  • Example: The shape of the ziggurat is very similar to the shape of a pyramid.

3. Zilch

  • Definition: nothing; none
  • Synonyms: no, nil
  • Example: Tom knew zilch about sports.

4. Zionism

  • Definition: an international movement originally for the establishment of a Jewish national or religious community in Palestine and later for the support of modern Israel
  • Synonyms: movement, social movement, front
  • Example: They argue that Zionism is exclusionist and thus racist.

5. Zipline

  • Definition: a cable or rope stretched between two points of different heights, down which a person slides for amusement by means of a suspended harness, pulley or handle
  • Synonyms: aerial runway, flying fox
  • Example: One of the highest and longest ziplines in Africa has just opened outside Cape Town.

6. Ziploc

  • Definition: a brand name for a type of plastic bag that can be closed firmly by pressing the two edges at the top together, and opened by pulling them apart
  • Synonyms: plastic bag, plastic pouch
  • Example: Store them in an airtight container, and when you share them, you can put them in Ziploc bags decorated for the occasion.

7. Zircon

  • Definition: a mineral in the form of crystals (regular shapes) from which the chemical element zirconium is obtained
  • Synonyms: rhinestone, rock, paragon
  • Example: A tiny crystal of zircon found in northwestern Australia is estimated to be about 4.3 billion years old.

8. Zoroastrianism

  • Definition: a monotheistic pre-Islamic religion of ancient Persia founded by Zoroaster in the 6th century BC
  • Synonyms: parseeism, apophatism
  • Example: In Zoroastrianism, the elements are sacred and the body is corrupt.

Nouns That Start with Z You Seldom Use

The unusual and rare nouns help to expand your vocabulary and can perfectly convey certain feelings and emotions. Let’s glance over a list of some rare noun words starting with Z you seldom use in your daily life:

1. Zeitgeist

  • Definition: the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time
  • Synonyms: spirit, tone, belief
  • Example: He has caught the zeitgeist of rural life in the 1980s very well indeed.

2. Zeppelin

  • Definition: a large airship (an aircraft without wings, containing gas to make it lighter than air, and with an engine)
  • Synonyms: airship, blimp, balloon
  • Example: The thieves made their getaway in a zeppelin.

3. Zirconia

  • Definition: a white crystalline compound ZrO2 used especially in refractories, in thermal and electric insulation, in abrasives, and in enamels and glazes
  • Synonyms: zirconium dioxide
  • Example: One person had a one-carat diamond while the rest had cubic zirconia.

4. Zirconium

  • Definition: a steel-gray hard ductile metallic element with a high melting point that occurs widely in combined form (as in zircon), is highly resistant to corrosion, and is used especially in alloys and in refractories and ceramics
  • Synonyms: spinel, niobium, rutile
  • Example: In some of the variations, the zirconium cladding is coated to minimize reactions.

5. Zit

  • Definition: a spot on the skin
  • Synonyms: abscess, acne, beauty spot
  • Example: You cover the emerging red zit on your chin with your hand.

6. Ziti

  • Definition: pasta in the form of tubes resembling large macaroni
  • Synonym: pasta, gnocchi, vermicelli
  • Example: The menu includes chicken parm with ziti, butterfly shrimp and chicken limone.

7. Zoot                                   

  • Definition: a suit of extreme cut typically consisting of a thigh-length jacket with wide padded shoulders and peg pants with narrow cuffs
  • Synonyms: apparel, array, costume
  • Example: The shop is selling everything from Catholic school uniforms to zoot suits.

8. Zimb

  • Definition: a large two-winged fly native to Abyssinia and probably of the family Tabanidae
  • Synonyms: fly, insect
  • Example: The climate of Abyssinia is most favorable for reproduction of Zimb.

Positive Nouns That Start with Z

In English language, there are so many positive nouns that can be used in countless situations and occasions. Let’s dive in the ocean of nouns and explore few positive nouns that start with Z in the below list:

1. Zaniness

  • Definition: the quality of being laughable or comical
  • Synonyms: comedy, comicality
  • Example: For all his occasional zaniness and bad positions on various issues, I’ve got a certain respect for him.

2. Zarf

  • Definition: something that helps you hold a hot cup without burning your fingers
  • Synonyms: holder, container, rack
  • Example: Don’t leave the coffee shop without your zarf!

3. Zegedine

  • Definition: silver drinking-cup
  • Synonyms: glass, pot
  • Example: These luxurious hotels serve the drinks to the customers in Zegedine.

4. Zibeline

  • Definition: a soft lustrous wool fabric with mohair, alpaca, or camel’s hair
  • Synonyms: fur of the sable
  • Example: He recognized the zibeline toque and coat edged with the same fur which she often wore.

5. Zygote

  • Definition: a cell formed by the union of two gametes
  • Synonyms: fertilized ovum
  • Example: Thus, a zygote is clearly capable of giving rise to all the different kinds of cells in the body.

6. Zaffer

  • Definition: an artificial mixture, resembling smalt, containing cobalt oxide and, usually, silica, used to produce a blue color in glass and in ceramic glazes
  • Synonyms: colourise, blueish, colouring
  • Example: Once prepared, zaffer would be ground again, for use as a vitreous coloring material, in glazes and enamels.

Nouns That Start with Z to Describe a Person

As you meet people your mind assigns them a category either good or bad. The Z nouns are the tools to describe a person or personality trait. Let’s take a look through a list of some nouns that start with Z to describe a person:

1. Zombie

  • Definition: a person who has no energy, seems to act without thinking, and does not notice what is happening
  • Synonyms: idle, living dead
  • Example: He’s just a zombie sitting in front of the TV all day.

2. Zookeeper

  • Definition: an animal attendant employed in a zoo
  • Synonyms: guardian, custodian, caretaker
  • Example: The zookeeper said that the elephant had always been a calm and gentle animal before.

3. Zoologist

  • Definition: an expert in or student of the behaviour, physiology, classification, and distribution of animals
  • Synonyms: biologist, naturalist, ecologist
  • Example: I’d paint like a zoologist, catching the animals doing things they actually do.

4. Zamindar

  • Definition: a collector of the land revenue of a district for the government during the period of Mogul rule in India
  • Synonyms: jagirdar, landowner, landlord
  • Example: Around Hyderabad in south-central India, many of the baolis were built by kings and zamindars.

5. Zambo

  • Definition: a Latin-American of mixed indigenous and African ancestry
  • Synonyms: sambo, marabou
  • Example: For the moment we could only sit among the bushes in patience and wait the coming of Zambo.

6. Zealot

  • Definition: a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals
  • Synonyms: fanatic, enthusiast, extremist
  • Example: The artistic zealot devoted his life to the completion of a great masterpiece.

Nouns That Start with Z – Full List (320 Words)

  • Zilch
  • Zoopathology
  • Zoophite
  • Zamite
  • Zaniness
  • Zequin
  • Zauschneria
  • Zoantharian
  • Z-Axis
  • Zemindari
  • Zemindar
  • Zenanas
  • Zambo
  • Zoodendrium
  • Zodiacs
  • Ziphioid
  • Zoot
  • Zoetrope
  • Ziment-Water
  • Zoogony
  • Za
  • Zoozoo
  • Zircon
  • Zaptiah
  • Zoophytology
  • Zygospore
  • Zope
  • Zincography
  • Zooerythrine
  • Zoster
  • Zooids
  • Zu/Is
  • Zaimet
  • Zonar
  • Zooid
  • Zionism
  • Zachun
  • Zoophyta
  • Zoochemistry
  • Zufolo
  • Zodiac
  • Zombie
  • Zoogeographical
  • Zoogeography
  • Zinkenite
  • Zoonite
  • Zouave
  • Zillah
  • Zooecium
  • Zaphara
  • Zenik
  • Zoned
  • Zymosimeter
  • Zeta
  • Zend-Avesta
  • Zincite
  • Zacco
  • Zirconate
  • Ziggurat
  • Zarf
  • Zamia
  • Zucchini
  • Ze
  • Zebra
  • Zemstvo
  • Zebrafish
  • Zoophilist
  • Zokor
  • Zander
  • Zinc
  • Zechstein
  • Zirconia
  • Zetetic
  • Zoanthropy
  • Zimb
  • Zygote
  • Zoologer
  • Zoisite
  • Zoophagan
  • Zipped
  • Zymogene
  • Zoroastrianism
  • Zoocyst
  • Zenick
  • Zandmole
  • Zoographer
  • Zygantrum
  • Zamang
  • Zymology
  • Zincification
  • Zoon
  • Zuisin
  • Zealander
  • Zend
  • Zigzaggery
  • Zeal
  • Zircofluoride
  • Zigzag
  • Zootomy
  • Zygosperm
  • Zilla
  • Zoantharia
  • Zemni
  • Zostera
  • Zymase
  • Zed
  • Zayat
  • Zoonotic
  • Zoide
  • Zomboruk
  • Zinnwaldite
  • Zinsang
  • Zymose
  • Zydeco
  • Zygodactyle
  • Zythum
  • Zalambdodont
  • Zealotist
  • Zig
  • Zobo
  • Zonure
  • Zion
  • Zaratite
  • Zither
  • Zero
  • Zenana
  • Zen
  • Zizania
  • Zabaism
  • Zibeth
  • Zymosis
  • Zealot
  • Zoospore
  • Zapotilla
  • Zoopraxiscope
  • Zenith
  • Zookeepers
  • Zibet
  • Zymome
  • Zein
  • Zealant
  • Zillion
  • Zygodactylae
  • Zinfandel
  • Zirconoid
  • Zumological
  • Zeitgeist
  • Ziploc
  • Zibeline
  • Zymologist
  • Zarthe
  • Zincode
  • Zakat
  • Zone
  • Zamindari
  • Zephyrus
  • Zumbooruk
  • Zoos
  • Zoocytium
  • Zamouse
  • Zeekoe
  • Zeolite
  • Zygodactyli
  • Zeds
  • Zookeeper
  • Z-Score
  • Zoanthus
  • Zulus
  • Ziti
  • Zif
  • Zoochlorella
  • Zoology
  • Zirconium
  • Zerda
  • Zine
  • Zygodactyl
  • Zeuglodon
  • Zonulet
  • Zumometer
  • Zoophaga
  • Zootomist
  • Zemindary
  • Zeuglodonta
  • Zingaro
  • Zincane
  • Zoilism
  • Zabian
  • Zati
  • Zincographer
  • Zap
  • Zechin
  • Zoccolo
  • Zohar
  • Zoogeny
  • Zante
  • Zygoma
  • Zygapophysis
  • Zietrisikite
  • Zuchetto
  • Zygobranchia
  • Zanyism
  • Zaphrentis
  • Zyme
  • Zwitterionic
  • Ziega
  • Zosterops
  • Zing
  • Zoning
  • Zonation
  • Zeugma
  • Zloty
  • Zebec
  • Zoonomy
  • Zeugmatic
  • Zeus
  • Zink
  • Zizel
  • Zeaxanthin
  • Zoophily
  • Zygenid
  • Zampogna
  • Zaffer
  • Zantiot
  • Zoography
  • Zest
  • Zareba
  • Zumology
  • Zoopsychology
  • Zillionaire
  • Zegedine
  • Zarnich
  • Zoroastrism
  • Zopilote
  • Zealotism
  • Zipper
  • Zonnar
  • Zeppelin
  • Zygosity
  • Zorilla
  • Zip
  • Zoolatry
  • Zebrawood
  • Zamindar
  • Zoonule
  • Zax
  • Zoochemy
  • Zaim
  • Zubr
  • Zedoary
  • Zantewood
  • Zygosis
  • Zebub
  • Zoomelanin
  • Zincide
  • Zymogen
  • Zit
  • Zeuzerian
  • Zarathustrism
  • Zylonite
  • Zabaglione
  • Zooplankton
  • Zonaria
  • Zoomorphism
  • Zythem
  • Zephyr
  • Zoographist
  • Zoologist
  • Zwanziger
  • Zoosperm
  • Zoophorous
  • Zemstvos
  • Zircona
  • Zany
  • Zoosporangium
  • Zendik
  • Zeugobranchiata
  • Zuche
  • Zealotry
  • Zoea
  • Zymometer
  • Zaerthe
  • Zymophyte
  • Zebu
  • Zoogloea
  • Zinnia
  • Zehner
  • Zag
  • Zythepsary
  • Zygosphene
  • Zoril
  • Zeylanite
  • Zeriba
  • Zain
  • Zombies
  • Zoanthodeme
  • Zamindary
  • Zingel
  • Zoo
  • Zittern
  • Zaibatsu
  • Zabism
  • Zocco
  • Zonule
  • Zyophyte
  • Zollverein
  • Zoogamy
  • Zea
  • Zoanthacea
  • Zunyite
  • Zoonoses
  • Zocle
  • Zee
  • Zeolites
  • Zoroastrian
  • Zona
  • Zipline
  • Zimbabwe
  • Zionist
  • Zinger
  • Zumic

Final Thoughts on Nouns That Start with Z

Indeed, the letter Z is not one of the frequently used English letters but fear not! If you find yourself tongue-tied when it comes to nouns that start with Z, we have created a perfect noun list for you. We’ve gathered ample number of nouns starting with Z to illustrate how to use it in English.

Being a rare letter, so many nouns beginning with Z may seem a little bit obscure but there’s no better way to obtain real expertise with English. Grappling with unusual words is an important factor of getting to grips with English as a whole that’s why, we’ve gathered these nouns that start with Z to describe whatever was in your mind. 

We hope so that you will be able to enhance your English speaking and writing skills through this incredible list of Z nouns.