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to zero

to zero

1 8.2
Adjust a gun sight so bullets hit the target at a chosen distance
  • verb
  • /ˈziːroʊ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ajustar la mira
  • Before the hunt, I need to zero my rifle to ensure it hits the target accurately.

Examples

  • I went to the range to zero in my old 30-30 for deer season, and there were a lot more people out there zeroing their rifles, and they were pissed.

    Blog text (18)
  • This dude just zeroed a rifle in combat in a video game.

  • I put a 4 to 20 scope and tried to zero in at 100 yards at 10 power

    Blog text (7)
  • The presidential attack squadron is zeroing in on the target.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Santanico scans the table, zeroing in on our boy Richard.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • It can zero in on targets within an arc-second, the angle subtended by a dime from a mile away.

    Academic text (2004)
  • He carefully zeroed the scope on his hunting gun at the recommended distance.

  • To improve accuracy, she zeroed her firearm by adjusting the sights during practice.

Synonyms

to zero in
vsto zero
  • Specialized
4 7.0

To adjust a gun or rifle so it shoots accurately at a set distance

has identical meaning but is the standard single-word technical term
to boresight
vsto zero
  • Specialized
8.8

To align a sight with a barrel to make shots accurate

is focused on adjusting sight to be accurate at a specific distance

Antonyms

4 6.7

To put parts in the wrong position so they do not line up

Idioms

To become successful and respected after being unknown or unsuccessful

Phrasal Verbs

63 4.7

To focus closely on a specific target

44 4.2

To give most attention to one person or thing

to zero in
  • Specialized
4 7.0

To adjust a gun or rifle so it shoots accurately at a set distance

to turn back to zero
  • Specialized
5.3

To put a device like a scale or gauge back to zero

Compounds

61 4.6

The place in New York City where the World Trade Center was before the 2001 terrorist attacks

53 4.3

A policy that makes people follow rules with no exceptions, even for small mistakes

17 6.2

The place where a major disaster or attack happens, often the area most affected

16 4.9

A strict rule that gives the same punishment for every bad act with no exceptions

A situation where one person's gain is exactly another person's loss

absolute zero
  • Specialized
5 6.7

The lowest possible temperature when tiny particles almost stop moving

4 5.1

The exact time when a planned action begins

patient zero
  • Specialized
3 7.0

First known person infected in an outbreak who may spread the disease to others

zero point
  • Specialized
2 4.0

A position on a scale where the value is zero and measurements start

2 6.3

The exact place on the ground most damaged by a bomb or explosion

1 4.2

A way to stop making trash by reusing, recycling and using fewer things

aleph-zero
  • Specialized
1 9.9

The size of all whole numbers like 0, 1, 2 and so on, the smallest infinity

1 6.8

Person who is the first source of a spreading trend, like a rumor or scandal

1 9.6

A software flaw attackers use before developers know or fix it

World War Zero
  • Neologism
8.8

A possible global conflict using new kinds of attacks like hacking and harm from climate change

zero coupon security
  • Specialized
7.8

A bond sold at a large discount that pays no regular interest and repays full value at maturity

zero coupon bond
  • Specialized
7.9

An investment sold for less than its full value that pays no interest until it ends

zero-day exploit
  • Specialized
9.9

A hole in software that attackers use before developers release a fix

zero-coupon bond
  • Specialized
7.1

A loan you buy for less than its value that pays no interest until it ends

zero-coupon security
  • Specialized
9.0

A bond sold for less than its value that pays no interest and gives the full amount when it ends

How Accurate

to calibrate
  • Specialized
36 6.0
to zero
  • Specialized
1 8.2
to sight
19 7.9
to point
537 2.9

Surface Forms

zero infinitive
zeroed past
zeroed past participle
zeroing present participle
zeros third person singular

Etymology

Zero comes from the Arabic word sifr, meaning 'empty' or 'nothing', and reached English via Italian zero. To zero a sight is to adjust it so there is 'no' difference between aim and hit, so the idea of 'nothing' or 'no error' fits the word's origin.