Zeroes vs. Zeros – Which is Correct?

Both “zeroes” and “zeros” are considered correct plural spellings of the noun “zero” in American English. While both forms are acceptable, “zeros” is generally more common and widely preferred in modern usage. “Zeroes” is also correct but appears less frequently in contemporary writing.

Zeroes or Zeros – Which is Correct?

When pluralizing the numeral “zero,” writers often pause to consider whether to add “-es” or simply “-s.” The good news is that both “zeroes” and “zeros” are recognized as grammatically correct plural forms in American English. The distinction between them is primarily one of preference and common usage rather than strict correctness.

Historically, words ending in “o” preceded by a consonant often formed their plural by adding “-es” (e.g., “heroes,” “potatoes”). However, many words, especially those of more recent adoption or technical nature, simply add “-s” (e.g., “pianos,” “radios”). “Zero” falls into a category where both forms have become established, though “zeros” has gained significant traction and is now the more prevalent choice in most contexts, including academic, journalistic, and business writing. “Zeroes” is not incorrect but may strike some readers as slightly less common.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

The simplest trick to remember the difference, or rather, to choose the most common option, is to think of other common words ending in ‘o’ that simply add ‘s’ for the plural. Consider words like “radios,” “videos,” and “pianos.” While “zero” can take “-es,” the trend for many ‘o’-ending words is to take “-s.” Therefore, if you aim for the most common and streamlined spelling, default to zeros.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Zeroes	Noun (plural)	Plural of zero; the absence of quantity or number.	The scores were all zeroes across the board.
Zeros	Noun (plural)	Plural of zero; the absence of quantity or number.	He added three zeros to the end of the number.

How to Use Zeroes

“Zeroes” is a perfectly acceptable plural form of “zero.” While less common than “zeros” in current usage, it is grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably with “zeros” in most contexts. It carries a slightly more traditional or formal tone to some readers, perhaps due to its adherence to older English pluralization rules for words ending in ‘o’. It is often found in older texts or specific technical contexts where precision or convention dictates its use.

Example 1: The spreadsheet showed a long column of zeroes, indicating no activity for the quarter.

Example 2: When the team started the project, their progress was at absolute zeroes.

Example 3: The children learned to write their numbers, including the distinct shapes of the zeroes.

What are the different forms of Zeroes?

“Zeroes” is the plural form of the noun “zero.” The singular form is “zero.” The word “zero” can also function as a verb, meaning “to adjust to zero” or “to aim,” in which case its forms are “zero,” “zeros” (third-person singular present), “zeroing,” and “zeroed.” As an adjective, “zero” has no comparative or superlative forms.

Etymology of the word Zeroes

The word “zero” entered English from French zéro, which in turn came from Medieval Latin zephirum. This Latin term was a transliteration of the Arabic ṣifr, meaning “empty” or “nothing.” The Arabic word also gave us “cipher.” The concept and word for zero were introduced to Europe through Arabic mathematics, influencing its adoption and eventual pluralization in English.

How to Use Zeros

“Zeros” is the more common and widely accepted plural form of “zero” in contemporary American English. It adheres to the general rule of adding “-s” to form plurals for most nouns, including many ending in “-o.” This form is preferred in most modern publications, scientific papers, financial reports, and everyday communication due to its simplicity and prevalence. Using “zeros” is generally a safe and clear choice in any professional or casual writing.

Example 1: The company’s profits had too many zeros for me to count easily.

Example 2: We need to add two more zeros to that figure to get the correct amount.

Example 3: The temperature dropped below freezing, hitting several zeros on the thermometer.

What are the different forms of Zeros?

“Zeros” is the plural form of the noun “zero.” The singular form is “zero.” When “zero” is used as a verb, its forms include “zero” (base), “zeros” (third-person singular present), “zeroing” (present participle), and “zeroed” (past tense and past participle). For example, “He zeros in on the target.” As an adjective, “zero” does not have comparative or superlative forms.

Etymology of the word Zeros

The etymology of “zeros” is identical to “zeroes,” as they are simply different plural forms of the same root word. The singular “zero” originated from the Arabic word ṣifr, meaning “empty” or “nothing.” This concept and term were transmitted to Europe via Medieval Latin (zephirum) and Italian (zero), eventually making their way into the English language. The pluralization with “-s” reflects a more modern and simplified approach to English grammar, contrasting with older “-es” pluralization rules.

Related Concepts

Understanding broader grammatical concepts related to pluralization can help clarify why words like “zero” have multiple accepted plural forms.

• Pluralization Rules: English pluralization generally involves adding “-s” or “-es” to nouns. Words ending in “o” can be tricky, with some consistently taking “-es” (e.g., “tomatoes”), some consistently taking “-s” (e.g., “pianos”), and others, like “zero,” accepting both. This variability often stems from historical linguistic shifts and common usage patterns.
• Orthography: This refers to the conventional spelling system of a language. The existence of both “zeroes” and “zeros” highlights how orthography can evolve, with common usage sometimes overriding strict adherence to older rules. Both forms are considered orthographically correct, though one may be more prevalent.

Examples from Media and Literature

Here are some examples demonstrating the usage of “zeroes” and “zeros” in various contexts:

• From a financial report: “The company reported three consecutive quarters of net zeros in profit.”
• In a historical document: “The ancient abacus helped scholars keep track of large numbers, including the placeholders for zeroes.”
• From a sports broadcast: “After a tough game, both teams ended with several zeros on the scoreboard.”
• In a science fiction novel: “The alien beings communicated in a series of clicks and whistles, and their numerical system seemed to contain countless zeroes.”
• From a news article (June 4, 2026): “Analysts are watching for the latest economic indicators, hoping to avoid any more disappointing zeros in growth.”

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The digital clock displayed a series of _______ before the countdown began.
2. To reach a million, you need to add six ______ after the one.
3. Despite their efforts, the team still scored nothing but _______ in the first half.
4. The teacher marked several _______ on the quiz, indicating incorrect answers.
5. Financial statements can be confusing with so many _______ to keep track of.

Answer Key

1. zeros/zeroes
2. zeros/zeroes
3. zeros/zeroes
4. zeros/zeroes
5. zeros/zeroes

Zeroes Synonyms

These synonyms relate to the concept of “zero” or nothingness, which applies to both plural forms.

Synonym	Definition
Naught	Nothing; zero.
Nil	Nothing, especially as a score in games.
Cipher	The numeral 0; a nonentity.
Void	A completely empty space.
Nothing	No thing; not anything.

Zeros Synonyms

These synonyms relate to the concept of “zero” or nothingness, which applies to both plural forms.

Synonym	Definition
Naught	Nothing; zero.
Nil	Nothing, especially as a score in games.
Cipher	The numeral 0; a nonentity.
Void	A completely empty space.
Nothing	No thing; not anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “zeroes” ever preferred over “zeros”?
While “zeros” is generally more common, “zeroes” might be preferred in very formal or traditional contexts, or by writers who adhere strictly to older pluralization rules for words ending in ‘o’ preceded by a consonant. However, this preference is stylistic rather than a rule of correctness.

Question 2: Does the meaning change between “zeroes” and “zeros”?
No, the meaning of the word does not change. Both “zeroes” and “zeros” refer to more than one instance of the number zero or the concept of nothingness.

Question 3: Which plural form should I use in scientific or technical writing?
In scientific and technical writing, consistency and clarity are paramount. While both are correct, “zeros” is overwhelmingly more common in these fields. To avoid any potential distraction or perceived anachronism, “zeros” is the safer and more widely accepted choice.

Conclusion

In the perennial debate of “zeroes” versus “zeros,” the good news is that both forms are considered grammatically correct pluralizations of “zero” in American English. While “zeroes” follows a more traditional pluralization pattern for words ending in ‘o’, “zeros” has emerged as the more common and widely preferred spelling in modern usage. Choosing “zeros” will ensure your writing aligns with contemporary standards and avoids any potential for sounding archaic.

Pro Tip: When in doubt, opt for “zeros” for its widespread acceptance and simplicity. Consistency is key; once you choose a form, stick with it throughout your document to maintain a professional and polished reputation.