zero

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a quantity of no importance
  2. noun a mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number
  3. noun the point on a scale from which positive or negative numerical quantities can be measured

Etymology

Collectively borrowed from Early Modern Spanish zero, Middle French zero, and (their etymon) Old Italian zero, from Medieval Latin zēphirum, from Arabic صِفْر (ṣifr, “nothing; cipher”), itself calqued from Sanskrit शून्य (śūnyá, “void; nothingness”). Doublet of cipher and chiffre. Cognate with Spanish cero and French zéro.

In classic literature

Synonyms

nothing, nil, nix, nada, null, aught, cipher, cypher, goose egg, naught, zilch, zip, zippo

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