zero
zero — number
1. the figure 0, used when counting to mean none of something or no amount.
the figure 0, used when counting to mean none of something or no amount.
Antonia counted twelve apples and zero oranges in the wooden bowl.
zero + plural noun for 'none'
The phone number ends in three zeros, so it is easy to remember.
plural form 'zeros' as the digit
After the long drought, the village reservoir dropped to nearly zero.
Type a zero before the dot when you write a small decimal like 0.5.
Arjun lost the chess match because he had zero pieces left on the board.
用法筆記
In British English the digit is often called 'nought' or 'oh' when read aloud (room 207 = 'two-oh-seven'). 'Zero' itself is the neutral, mathematical form.
常見錯誤
2. the mark labelled 0 on a scale of measurement, used as the dividing line between
the mark labelled 0 on a scale of measurement, used as the dividing line between positive and negative values — for example, the freezing point of water in Celsius.
By midnight, the temperature in Helsinki had fallen to ten below zero.
below zero = negative temperature
Hassan watched the fuel gauge slip toward zero as the truck climbed the hill.
approach + zero on a gauge
Water freezes at zero degrees Celsius, so the puddles on the path turned to ice.
The volume on Yuna's old radio was already turned right down to zero.
Air pressure inside the test chamber dropped to zero within a few seconds.
- freezing point
specifically for water on the Celsius scale
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense always refers to a position on a scale (temperature, pressure, volume, fuel) rather than a count of objects. Common with prepositions: 'at zero', 'to zero', 'below zero'.
常見錯誤
zero — adjective
1. describing an amount, count, or measured value that comes out to 0 when you chec
describing an amount, count, or measured value that comes out to 0 when you check or calculate it.
The new diet drink claims to have zero calories per bottle.
zero + measurement noun
Our football team finished the season with two wins and zero losses.
Christopher checked his bank app and saw a zero balance in his savings account.
The fitness app gave Priscilla a zero score for steps walked on Sunday.
- positive
of a value greater than zero
文法句型
zero + noun
用法筆記
Used before a noun, especially with countable measurements (calories, losses, balance). Often interchangeable with 'no' but feels more numerical and precise.
常見錯誤
2. absolutely none — a stronger, more emphatic way of saying that something is comp
absolutely none — a stronger, more emphatic way of saying that something is completely missing or not given at all.
Noa had zero patience for her brother's pranks that morning.
emphatic: zero + abstract noun
The boss showed zero interest in our weekend project ideas.
Mert has zero experience driving on snowy mountain roads.
The new manager has zero respect for people who arrive late.
- no
neutral and universal; lacks the emphatic tone
- absolutely no
matches the strong tone but is two words
文法句型
zero + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is emphatic and pairs with abstract or non-countable nouns (patience, interest, respect, tolerance), not with measured quantities. Replacing it with 'no' is grammatical but loses the strong, slightly exasperated tone.
常見錯誤
zero — noun
1. the written sign 0, treated as a thing in its own right — for example when you t
the written sign 0, treated as a thing in its own right — for example when you talk about how many of them appear in a number, or about the symbol on a keyboard.
Minh wrote four zeros after the one to make the number ten thousand.
countable: a zero / four zeros
The little boy proudly drew a fat zero on his maths worksheet.
On most keyboards, the zero sits between the nine and the dash.
Adisa explained that the Maya people used a shell shape to mean zero.
用法筆記
Countable noun, plural 'zeros' (or, less commonly, 'zeroes'). Distinguish from sense 2: here zero is the visible symbol or digit; in sense 2 it is the place where measurement begins.
常見錯誤
2. the place on a scale or in a system where measuring or counting begins — for exa
the place on a scale or in a system where measuring or counting begins — for example the 0 line on a thermometer dial, or the spot from which a runner sets off.
Élise turned the dial back to zero before weighing the bag of flour.
set to zero on an instrument
After the heater was switched on, the office finally rose above zero.
above zero = warmer than the starting mark
The runners reset the stopwatch to zero before the second race began.
On this map, the zero is the lighthouse, and every distance is measured from it.
- starting point
everyday phrase; not numerical
- datum
technical surveying term
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: a 'zero' here is a position, not a written digit. Common in scientific, sporting, and engineering contexts. Often follows 'to', 'above', 'below', or 'from'.
常見錯誤
zero — verb
1. to turn or set a measuring tool, counter, or display back to 0 so that the next
to turn or set a measuring tool, counter, or display back to 0 so that the next reading starts fresh.
Iker zeroed the kitchen scale before adding the chopped onions.
zero + object (instrument)
Please zero the trip meter every time you fill the tank with petrol.
imperative; zero + counter
Luca zeroed the lab balance carefully so the chemistry results would be accurate.
Emma forgot to zero the stopwatch, so the timing for the swim was wrong.
文法句型
zero + object
用法筆記
Frequently in technical or scientific contexts. Object is always an instrument or counter (scale, gauge, meter, timer). Past tense and -ed/-ing forms keep the 'o': zeroed, zeroing.