It’s the last letter of the alphabet, but don’t take “Z” for granted. It’ll give you some surprising adjectives, which are words that help to describe all the people, places, and objects around you. “Z” arms you with the perfect words to describe zesty pizzas, zingy sandwiches, and zealous friends. With all the adjectives that start with “Z,” you’ll have zero problems describing the world around you.
Positive Adjectives That Start With “Z”
Keeping a positive attitude can help you improve your outlook on life, and building a positive vocabulary is a big part of that. Positive adjectives that start with “Z” can lend a hand, helping you describe your zestful family members and zooty friends.
| Adjective | Definition | Synonyms |
| zaftig | having a full, shapely figure | curvaceous, curvy, buxom |
| zany | comical in an extravagantly ludicrous or slapstick manner | quirky, eccentric, comical |
| zappy | moving at a fast pace with high energy | energetic, lively, animated |
| zealful | characterized by passionate enthusiasm | zealous, dedicated, impassioned |
| zealous | ardently devoted or diligent | enthusiastic, passionate, fanatical |
| zephyrous | similar or related to a gentle, mild breeze; related to anything of fine, light quality | breezy, windy, ephemeral |
| zestful | filled with enthusiasm; having high spirits | exuberant, eager, ebullient |
| zesty | full of zest, energetic, active; spicy in flavor | frisky, tangy, piquant |
| zen | very relaxed and calming; high level of awareness | peaceful, enlightened, relaxed |
| zingy | pleasantly stimulating to the senses | flavorful, spicy, lively |
| zippy | full of vim and energy; brisk | peppy, energetic, sprightly |
| zooty | extremely flamboyant style | snazzy, over-the-top, stylish |
Negative Adjectives Starting With “Z”
While being too negative is never a great idea, some things (and a few people) just require negative descriptors. Negative “Z” adjectives give you space to describe your zombielike moods on Mondays or your zonked dog after a particularly rigorous walk.
| Adjective | Definition | Synonyms |
| zero | absence of or present in a quantity so small as to be unmeasurable | nil, absent, blank |
| zombielike | resembling or characteristic of a zombie | moribund, lifeless, enervated |
| zonked | completely tired; lacking energy to do anything else | exhausted, sleepy, drained |
| zoolike | resembling or characteristic of a zoo | chaotic, boisterous, hectic |
Neutral Adjectives Starting With “Z”
Most things don’t exist on a positive-negative spectrum. Things just exist, but you still need the right words to describe them. Thankfully, “Z” adjectives offer a plentitude of oddly specific descriptors for a zigzag sweater pattern, a zeitgeisty novel, and a zoophagous bear.
| Adjective | Definition | Synonyms |
| zeitgeisty | characteristic of the mood or spirit of a specific period in history | contemporary |
| zenithal | characterized by or related to the highest point or culmination | maximal, paramount, tiptop |
| zeroth | prior to the first thing in a series | antecedent |
| zibeline | of or having to do with a sable (the animal) | sable, sable-like |
| zigzag | having a series of short, sharp angles or turns in alternate directions | twisty, crooked |
| zillionth | referring to something that's happened a countless number of times | uncountable, enormous |
| zinciferous | yielding, producing, or containing zinc | ferrous (in relation to zinc) |
| zodiacal | of or related to the zodiac system | astrological |
| zoetic | of or pertaining to life | organic, biological, alive |
| zoic | of or pertaining to animals or animal life | animal |
| zonal | area that’s separated into different zones | divisions, segmented |
| zoning | dividing areas into zones (voting districts; land usage restrictions) | districting, outlining |
| zoogenic | caused by or starting in animals, as a disease | zoogenous, zoonotic |
| zoological | of, pertaining to, or concerned with animals | fauna, animal, wild |
| zoomy | characteristic of something that looks like it would go fast | speedy, sleek, streamlined |
| zoophagous | animal that feeds on other animals; carnivorous | flesh-eating, meat-eating, predatory |
| zygal | shaped like a yoke or the letter H | H-shaped |
| zygomatic | anatomical term referring to the zygoma area of the face; zygomatic bone, zygomatic arch | cheekbone, malar bone |
| zygomorphic | botanical term referring to a single level of symmetry; plants that have identical halves | bilateral symmetry, mirror image |
| zymoid | biochemistry term related to fermenting; characteristics similar to enzyme | catalyst, accelerator |
| zymolytic | causing fermentation or related to fermentation | zymotic, zymolytic |
Example Sentences Using Adjectives That Start With “Z”
With a zen understanding of all the ways that “Z” adjectives can expand your vocabulary, it’s a good idea to look at how you can use them in sentences.
- His zany antics were becoming less comical as everyone matured.
- The band’s zealous fans frequently sent them letters and baskets of fruit.
- Even though the toppings were fairly bland, the zesty sauce really improved the pizza’s flavor.
- She had zero hesitation about quitting her awful job for a position that paid more.
- The long hike left us zonked for the rest of the day.
- Due to some unfortunate zoning violations, she was unable to put her dragon statue in front of her home.
- The zigzag pattern of his shirt had the distracting effect of making him look like a cartoon cat.
- An hour of yoga, a good breakfast, and a thermos of warm coffee left the group in a fully zen state.
- The zodiacal book stated quite frankly that Taurus was the superior sign.
- Despite the car’s massive size, it’s surprisingly zippy and can easily handle the tight corners and windy roads.
Catching Zzz’s With the Letter “Z”
Now that you’re equipped with a non-zero collection of adjectives that start with “Z,” you can learn even more “Z” words in different parts of speech. Expanding your “Z” words can improve your writing and conversation skills, and they can help you score big in word games.