What's the Plural of Zero? Zeroes or Zeros?

The correct plural of “zero” is “zeros”, as recognized by most English dictionaries and style guides. However, “zeroes” is also used, mainly in older texts or when referring to the action of “zeroing in” on something. While both forms exist, “zeros” is the preferred and widely accepted spelling.

Plural Forms of Zero: Comparison

Plural Noun Rule	Example or Exception
Most nouns ending in “o” add -s	“Pianos,” “photos,” “zeros”
Some nouns ending in “o” add -es	“Heroes,” “potatoes,” “zeroes” (less common)
“Zeroes” as a verb means “to adjust focus”	“She zeroes in on the target”

Regional Preferences (US vs. UK)

Region	Preferred Spelling
United States	Zeros
United Kingdom	Zeros (Zeroes appears occasionally)

Why Is “Zeros” the Preferred Plural?

Most English nouns ending in “o” follow a simple pattern:

If a word is borrowed from another language (like “piano” from Italian), it often takes -s in plural form.
Some exceptions, like “heroes” or “tomatoes,” take -es, but “zero” doesn’t fall into this category.

Dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster and the Oxford English Dictionary, list “zeros” as the standard plural. The AP Stylebook and Chicago Manual of Style also recommend “zeros” for formal writing.

Historical Origins and Usage

The word “zero” comes from Italian (“zero”) and Arabic (“ṣifr”), referring to the concept of nothingness. Early English usage varied, but by the 20th century, “zeros” became the standard form in technical and mathematical contexts.

Common Mistakes and Usage in Different Writing Styles

Formal Writing: “The experiment resulted in two zeros in the data.”
Informal Writing: “I scored three zeros in a row!”
Mathematical Context: “We need to count the leading zeros in this number.”
Historical Texts: Some older dictionaries and literature used “zeroes.”
Verbal Confusion: “Zeroes” as a verb (“She zeroes in on the target”) may lead to misinterpretation.

Example Sentences

The scoreboard displayed three zeros in a row.
We must remove all leading zeros in the equation.
The computer program automatically zeroes out the balance.
Some older dictionaries listed zeroes as an alternative spelling.
I wrote multiple zeros on the check to confirm the amount.

Memory Trick to Remember the Correct Plural

Think of “zero” like “piano”—both take -s in the plural form. If unsure, just remember: “Heroes need an ‘e’, but zeros don’t!”

Detailed Grammar Rules

AP Stylebook: Always use “zeros” in news writing.
Oxford Dictionary: Lists “zeros” as standard but notes “zeroes” as rare.
Chicago Manual of Style: Uses “zeros” for technical and academic writing.
Common Writing Conventions: “Zeros” is universally accepted, while “zeroes” appears mainly in archaic texts or verb form.

Are There Any Exceptions?

“Zeroes” as a Verb: “She zeroes in on the target” (correct verb form).
Older Literature: Some 19th-century texts used “zeroes” as a noun, but modern English has phased this out.

Which One Should You Use?

Use “zeros” for almost all cases, especially in formal, technical, and mathematical writing. While “zeroes” exists, it is mostly outdated or used as a verb. Stick with “zeros” to stay grammatically correct!