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zero in on

ze·ro in on
Z z

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [zeer-oh in on, awn]
    • /ˈzɪər oʊ ɪn ɒn, ɔn/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [zeer-oh in on, awn]
    • /ˈzɪər oʊ ɪn ɒn, ɔn/

Definitions of zero in on words

  • noun plural zero in on the figure or symbol 0, which in the Arabic notation for numbers stands for the absence of quantity; cipher. 1
  • noun plural zero in on the origin of any kind of measurement; line or point from which all divisions of a scale, as a thermometer, are measured in either a positive or a negative direction. 1
  • noun plural zero in on a mathematical value intermediate between positive and negative values. 1
  • noun plural zero in on naught; nothing. 1
  • noun plural zero in on the lowest point or degree. 1
  • noun plural zero in on Linguistics. the absence of a linguistic element, as a phoneme or morpheme, in a position in which one previously existed or might by analogy be expected to exist, often represented by the symbol 0̷: Inflectional endings were reduced to zero. The alternant of the plural morpheme in “sheep” is zero. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of zero in on

First appearance:

before 1595
One of the 38% oldest English words
1595-1605; < Italian < Medieval Latin zephirum < Arabic ṣifr cipher

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Zero in on

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

zero in on popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 98% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

zero in on usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for zero in on

verb zero in on

  • aim — If you aim for something or aim to do something, you plan or hope to achieve it.
  • dial — A dial is the part of a machine or instrument such as a clock or watch which shows you the time or a measurement that has been recorded.
  • fixate — to fix; make stable or stationary.
  • hit upon — to deal a blow or stroke to: Hit the nail with the hammer.
  • infatuate — to inspire or possess with a foolish or unreasoning passion, as of love.

Antonyms for zero in on

verb zero in on

  • jag — a period of unrestrained indulgence in an activity; spree; binge: a crying jag; a talking jag.

See also

Matching words

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