1000 Words That Start With Z: Complete Z Word List

Ever wondered how many English words start with Z?

Learning Z words can help you score big. Here’s a list of 1000 words beginning with Z that every word lover should know.

Organized by category, length, and usage to help writers, students, and word game enthusiasts find the perfect Z word instantly.

Why You Need This 1000 Words That Start With Z List

The letter Z appears in less than 1% of English words, making it the rarest starting letter.

Whether you’re stuck on a crossword puzzle, need high-scoring Scrabble plays, or want unique vocabulary for creative writing, this complete collection solves your Z word challenges.

Z words score 10 points in Scrabble, making them the highest-value letter.

Students preparing for spelling bees need comprehensive Z word lists. Writers seeking distinctive vocabulary benefit from uncommon Z terms.

Short Words That Start With Z: (2-4 Letters)

Two Letter Z Words

Za – Slang for pizza Ze – Gender-neutral pronoun Zo – Himalayan cattle

These ultra-short Z words maximize Scrabble scoring opportunities when board space is limited.

Three Letter Words That Start With Z

Zap – Strike suddenly Zed – British term for letter Z Zee – American term for letter Z Zen – Buddhist meditation practice Zig – Sharp turn in one direction Zip – Move quickly Zit – Facial blemish Zoo – Animal exhibition facility Zag – Sharp turn opposite direction

Four Letter Words That Start With Z:

Zany – Amusingly unconventional Zaps – Strikes suddenly (plural) Zarf – Ornamental coffee cup holder Zeal – Great enthusiasm zebu – Humped cattle Zeds – Letters Z (plural) Zees – Letters Z (plural) Zeks – Labor camp prisoners Zens – States of meditation Zero – The number 0 Zest – Enthusiasm or citrus peel Zeta – Greek letter Zeus – Greek god Zigs – Sharp turns Zinc – Metallic element Zips – Moves quickly Zits – Facial blemishes Zone – Designated area Zonk – Fall suddenly asleep Zoom – Move rapidly Zoos – Animal facilities

Medium Length Z Words (5-7 Letters)

Five Letter Z Words

Word	Meaning	Usage Context
Zayin	Hebrew letter	Language/Alphabet
Zeals	Enthusiasms	Emotion/Attitude
Zebra	Striped animal	Animals/Wildlife
Zeros	Numbers 0	Mathematics
Zests	Enthusiasms	Emotion/Food
Zetas	Greek letters	Greek alphabet
Zilch	Nothing	Informal speech
Zincs	Metal elements	Chemistry
Zippy	Energetic	Personality
Zoned	Divided into areas	Urban planning
Zones	Designated areas	Geography
Zonks	Falls asleep	Informal verb
Zooms	Moves rapidly	Action/Motion

Zazen – Seated Zen meditation Zebec – Mediterranean sailing vessel Zebus – Humped cattle (plural) Zendo – Zen meditation hall Zerks – Grease fittings Zesty – Full of flavor Zibet – Asian civet Zilch – Absolutely nothing Zincy – Containing zinc Zippy – Fast and energetic Zitis – Pasta types Zizit – Jewish prayer shawl fringes Zloty – Polish currency Zonal – Relating to zones Zoned – Divided into zones Zoner – One who zones out Zones – Designated areas Zonks – Hits or falls asleep Zooks – Exclamation Zooms – Moves quickly Zowie – Exclamation of surprise

Six Letter Z Words

Zaffer – Blue ceramic pigment

Zaftig – Pleasingly plump

Zaikai – Japanese business community Zaires – Former Zairean currency Zakats – Islamic charitable donations Zamias – Tropical plants Zander – European pike-perch Zanier – More zany Zanies – Comedic performers Zapped – Struck suddenly Zapper – Remote control Zarape – Mexican blanket Zareba – Protective enclosure Zariba – Thorn fence enclosure Zayins – Hebrew letters Zazzen – Zen meditation variant Zealot – Fanatical person Zeatin – Plant hormone Zebeck – Small vessel Zebras – Striped animals Zechin – Gold coin Zenana – Women’s quarters Zenith – Highest point Zephyr – Gentle breeze Zeroed – Adjusted to zero Zeroes – Numbers zero Zested – Removed citrus peel Zester – Citrus peel tool Zibeth – Asian civet Zigged – Made sharp turn Zigzag – Alternating angles Zinced – Coated with zinc Zincic – Containing zinc Zincky – Resembling zinc Zinged – Moved quickly Zinger – Witty remark Zinnia – Flowering plant Zipped – Moved quickly Zipper – Fastening device Zircon – Mineral gemstone Zither – Stringed instrument Zizith – Prayer shawl fringes Zizzle – Sizzling sound Zlotys – Polish currency units Zoaria – Bryozoan colonies Zodiac – Celestial coordinate system Zoecae – Larval crustaceans Zombie – Reanimated corpse Zombis – Zombies variant Zonary – Arranged in zones Zonate – Marked with zones Zoning – Land use regulation Zonked – Extremely tired Zonula – Small zone Zooids – Individual organisms Zoomed – Moved rapidly Zoonal – Relating to zones Zooned – Arranged in zones Zooner – One who zones Zorils – African mammals Zoster – Shingles disease Zouave – French infantry Zounds – Archaic exclamation Zoysia – Grass genus Zydeco – Louisiana music Zygoid – Yoke-shaped Zygoma – Cheekbone Zygose – Yoke-shaped Zygote – Fertilized egg Zymase – Enzyme complex

Seven Letter Z Words

Zabaism – Sabaean religion variant Zaniest – Most zany Zanyish – Somewhat zany Zapateo – Spanish dance Zappers – Remote controls Zapping – Striking suddenly Zealous – Filled with zeal Zebrano – African hardwood Zebrine – Zebra-like Zebrula – Zebra hybrid Zebrule – Zebra-mule hybrid Zecchin – Venetian gold coin Zedoary – Aromatic root Zeitgeber – Time cue (shortened) Zemstva – Russian assemblies Zemstvo – Russian assembly Zenanas – Women’s quarters Zeniths – Highest points Zeolite – Porous mineral Zephyrs – Gentle breezes Zeppole – Italian pastry Zeroing – Adjusting to zero Zesters – Citrus tools Zestful – Full of enthusiasm Zestier – More zesty Zesting – Removing citrus peel Zetetic – Proceeding by inquiry Zeugmas – Rhetorical devices Zibeths – Asian civets Zigzags – Alternating patterns Zillion – Extremely large number Zimocca – Sponge variety Zincate – Zinc salt Zincier – More zincy Zincify – Coat with zinc Zincing – Coating with zinc Zincite – Zinc ore Zincked – Coated with zinc Zincoid – Resembling zinc Zincous – Containing zinc Zingani – Romani people Zingano – Romani person Zingara – Romani woman Zingare – Romani women Zingari – Romani people Zingaro – Romani man Zingers – Witty remarks Zingier – More zingy Zinging – Moving quickly Zinkify – Coat with zinc Zinnias – Flowering plants Zippers – Fastening devices Zippier – More zippy Zipping – Moving quickly Zircons – Mineral gemstones Zithern – Stringed instrument Zithers – Stringed instruments Zizania – Wild rice genus Zizzing – Making buzzing sound Zizzled – Sizzled Zizzles – Sizzling sounds Zoarial – Related to zoaria Zoarium – Bryozoan colony Zocalos – Mexican plazas Zodiacs – Celestial systems Zoecium – Bryozoan chamber Zoeform – Animal-like Zonally – In zones Zonated – Arranged in zones Zonings – Land regulations Zonking – Falling asleep Zonulae – Small zones Zonular – Ring-shaped Zonulas – Small zones Zonules – Small zones Zooecia – Bryozoan chambers Zoogamy – Sexual reproduction Zoogeny – Animal generation Zooglea – Bacterial mass Zoogony – Animal reproduction Zooidal – Like a zooid Zooiest – Most zoo-like Zoolike – Resembling a zoo Zoology – Animal study Zooming – Moving rapidly Zoonite – Body segment Zoonomy – Animal physiology Zoopery – Animal experimentation Zoopsia – Visual hallucinations Zootaxy – Animal classification Zootier – More zoo-like Zootomy – Animal anatomy Zootype – Animal archetype Zoozoos – Wood pigeons Zorilla – African polecat Zorille – African polecat Zorillo – Skunk Zosters – Shingles infections Zouaves – French infantry Zuffolo – Small flute Zygomas – Cheekbones Zygoses – Yoke unions Zygosis – Union of gametes Zygotes – Fertilized cells Zygotic – Relating to zygotes Zymases – Enzyme complexes Zymogen – Enzyme precursor Zymosan – Yeast cell wall Zymoses – Fermentations Zymosis – Fermentation Zymotic – Relating to fermentation Zymurgy – Fermentation science Zyzzyva – Tropical weevil

Long Z Words (8+ Letters)

Eight Letter Z Words

Zabajone – Italian custard dessert Zacatons – Bunchgrass species Zaibatsu – Japanese conglomerate Zakouska – Russian appetizer Zakouski – Russian appetizers Zamarras – Sheepskin coats Zamarros – Leather chaps Zambomba – Friction drum Zamindar – Indian landowner Zampogna – Italian bagpipe Zaniness – Quality of being zany Zanjeros – Irrigation officials Zapateos – Spanish dances Zappiest – Most zappy Zaptiahs – Turkish police Zaptiehs – Turkish police Zaratite – Nickel carbonate Zastrugi – Snow ridges Zealless – Without zeal Zealotry – Fanatical behavior Zebranos – African hardwoods Zebrines – Zebra-like creatures Zebrulas – Zebra hybrids Zebrules – Zebra-mule hybrids Zecchini – Venetian gold coins Zecchino – Venetian gold coin Zecchins – Venetian gold coins Zedoaria – Aromatic root variant Zedoarie – Aromatic root variant Zemindar – Indian landowner Zemstvos – Russian assemblies Zenithal – Relating to zenith Zeolites – Porous minerals Zeolitic – Like zeolite Zeppelin – Rigid airship Zeppoles – Italian pastries Zestiest – Most zesty Zestless – Without zest Zeugites – Ancient Greek class Zibelins – Sable furs Zibeline – Sable-like fabric Ziggurat – Stepped pyramid Zigzaggy – Having zigzag pattern Zikurats – Ziggurats variant Zillions – Countless numbers Zincates – Zinc salts Zinckier – More like zinc Zinckify – Coat with zinc Zincking – Zinc coating process Zincites – Zinc ores Zinckier – More zinc-like Zinckify – Apply zinc coating Zingiest – Most zingy Zircaloy – Zirconium alloy Zirconia – Zirconium oxide Zirconic – Containing zirconium Zitherns – Stringed instruments Zizzling – Sizzling Zodiacal – Relating to zodiac Zoetrope – Animation device Zombiism – Zombie state Zonation – Zone arrangement Zoneless – Without zones Zonetime – Time zone reference Zooecia – Bryozoan chambers (alt) Zoogamete – Animal gamete (short) Zoogleae – Bacterial masses Zoogleal – Like zooglea Zoogleas – Bacterial masses Zoogloea – Bacterial mass variant Zoolater – Animal worshipper Zoolatry – Animal worship Zoologic – Relating to zoology Zoomania – Excessive animal love Zoomancy – Divination by animals Zoomorph – Animal-shaped object Zoometry – Animal measurement Zoonoses – Animal-to-human diseases Zoonosis – Animal-to-human disease Zoonotic – Disease transmissible Zoopathy – Animal disease Zoophile – Animal lover Zoophily – Animal pollination Zoophobe – Animal fearer Zoophori – Architectural friezes Zoophyte – Plant-like animal Zooscopy – Animal observation Zoosperm – Animal sperm Zoospore – Motile spore Zootomic – Relating to zootomy Zootoxin – Animal poison Zootrope – Zoetrope variant Zorillas – African polecats Zorillos – Skunks Zoysias – Grass species Zuchetta – Squash variety Zuchetto – Clerical skullcap Zugzwang – Chess disadWords beginning with Zvantage Zwieback – Twice-baked bread Zygodont – Having yoked teeth Zygomata – Cheekbones (plural) Zygosity – Genetic pairing state Zymogene – Enzyme precursor variant Zymogeny – Enzyme formation Zymogram – Enzyme separation diagram Zymology – Fermentation science Zymolyis – Enzyme action Zymosans – Yeast cell walls

Nine Letters Words That Start With Z

Zabaglione – Italian egg dessert Zamindari – Indian land system Zamindary – Landowning system Zealously – With great enthusiasm Zebrafish – Striped aquarium fish Zebrawood – Striped hardwood Zeitgeber – Environmental time cue Zeitgeist – Spirit of the times Zemindari – Indian landholding Zemindary – Landholding system Zeppelins – Rigid airships Zestfully – Enthusiastically Ziggurats – Stepped pyramids Zigzagged – Moved in zigzag pattern Zinfandel – Wine grape variety Zirconium – Metallic element Zoanthropy – Delusion of being animal Zoetropes – Animation devices Zombified – Made zombie-like Zombifies – Makes zombie-like Zombiisms – Zombie states Zonetimes – Time zone periods Zoography – Animal description Zoologies – Animal studies Zoologist – Animal scientist Zoologize – Study zoology Zoomanias – Animal obsessions Zoomorphs – Animal-shaped forms Zoometric – Relating to zoometry Zoonymies – Animal naming systems Zoophagan – Carnivorous Zoophiles – Animal lovers Zoophobia – Fear of animals Zoophoric – Animal-bearing Zoophytes – Plant-like animals Zoosperms – Animal sperms Zoospores – Motile spores Zoosterol – Animal sterol Zootomies – Animal dissections Zootomist – Animal anatomist Zootoxins – Animal poisons Zootrophy – Animal nutrition Zucchetti – Small zucchini Zucchetto – Clerical skullcap Zucchinis – Green squash Zugzwangs – Chess positions Zygantrum – Vertebral process Zygomatic – Relating to cheekbone Zygomorph – Bilateral symmetry Zygospore – Fungal spore Zygotenes – Meiosis stages Zymogenes – Enzyme precursors Zymograms – Enzyme diagrams Zymologic – Relating to fermentation Zymolysis – Enzyme-induced change Zymometer – Fermentation measurer Zymoscope – Fermentation viewer Zymurgies – Brewing sciences

Z Words by Common Usage

High-Scoring Scrabble Z Words

Master these Z words for maximum Scrabble points:

QUIZ (22 points) – Short test FIZZ (25 points) – Effervescence JAZZ (29 points) – Music genre BUZZ (24 points) – Humming sound FUZZ (25 points) – Soft fibers RAZZ (22 points) – Tease playfully PIZZAZZ (45 points) – Attractive style ZEPHYRS (24 points base) – Gentle breezes ZYMURGY (25 points base) – Fermentation science

Academic Z Words

Students and academics frequently encounter these Words beginning with Z :

Zoology – Animal biology Zygote – Fertilized cell Zenith – Peak point Zeitgeist – Era’s spirit Zealot – Fanatic Zoonotic – Animal-transmitted disease Zirconium – Chemical element #40 Zeolite – Porous mineral Zwitterion – Dual-charged molecule

Creative Writing Z Words

Writers use theseZ words list for impact:

Zestful – Enthusiastic Zephyr – Gentle breeze Zealous – Passionate Zenith – Highest point Zeitgeist – Cultural spirit Zany – Comically unconventional Zingy – Exciting and flavorful

How to Use This 1000 Words That Start With Z List

For Word Games

Search by word length to find plays that fit available board spaces. Focus on high-point-value short words like quiz, fizz, and jazz. Memorize two-letter Z words for tight gameplay situations.

For Writing Enhancement

Replace common words with distinctive Z alternatives. Instead of “enthusiasm,” try zeal or zest. Replace “highest point” with zenith. Substitute “gentle breeze” with zephyr for poetic effect.

For Vocabulary Building

Study five new Z words daily from different categories. Create flashcards grouping words by theme. Practice using new Z vocabulary in conversation and writing.

For Academic Research

Reference scientific Z terms like zygote, zoonotic, and zymology in appropriate contexts. Understand Greek and Latin roots enhancing comprehension of technical Z vocabulary.

Conclusion

This list of 1000 words that start with Z is perfect for students, writers, and word lovers. It includes easy words like zero, zebra, and zone, and also rare ones such as zugzwang and zyzzyva.

Learning Z words can help you build a strong English vocabulary. You can use them in Scrabble, school work, or creative writing to make your language more interesting.

Keep this list as your main guide for words beginning with Z. It’s a fun and useful way to explore one of the least-used letters in English while improving your vocabulary and writing skills.