Naught vs. Zero — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 19, 2024
Naught typically refers to nothingness or nonexistence, often used in literary contexts, while zero is a numerical value representing no quantity, fundamental in mathematics.
Difference Between Naught and Zero
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Naught is commonly associated with the concept of nothingness or the absence of any value in a literary or philosophical sense. On the other hand, zero is explicitly a numerical digit used in counting and mathematical calculations, indicating the absence of a quantity.
In expressions, naught often conveys a sense of nullity or failure, as in phrases like "all for naught," suggesting efforts that yield no outcome. Whereas zero, in a mathematical context, plays a critical role in the structure of the number system, including the definition of neutral elements in addition and multiplication.
Naught can also be used metaphorically to emphasize the nonexistence of something beyond just numerical value. In contrast, zero is used in scientific and technical fields to denote precise measurements, like zero degrees or zero point energy.
The term naught carries a slightly archaic or poetic tone, making it less common in everyday language outside of specific phrases or literary uses. Zero, however, is universally recognized and used across various languages and fields, emphasizing its importance in global communication and technology.
While naught might be used in expressions of despair or insignificance, zero can be seen in a more neutral or even positive light, especially when discussing concepts like zero defects or zero emissions, which are goal-oriented.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Nothingness, nonexistence
Numerical digit representing 'none'
Usage Context
Literary, philosophical
Mathematical, scientific
Connotation
Often negative or neutral
Neutral, can be positive
Common Phrases
"All for naught," "come to naught"
"Zero point," "ground zero"
Cultural Perception
Archaic, poetic
Modern, essential
Compare with Definitions
Naught
Nothing; zero.
His efforts came to naught in the end.
Zero
The starting point in a scale or system.
Sea level is often referred to as zero elevation.
Naught
A literary term for nothing.
In the poem, the vast universe was likened to naught in the face of love.
Zero
Representing none, or the absence of all quantity.
There were zero cookies left in the jar after the party.
Naught
Nonexistence; absence of any quantity.
He returned to the place, but it was all naught but memories.
Zero
The numerical figure 0; indicates no quantity.
The thermometer hit zero during the blizzard.
Naught
Worthless or futile.
The plan proved naught and was quickly abandoned.
Zero
A placeholder in positional number systems.
In the number 105, the zero indicates no tens.
Naught
Used in expressions to denote complete failure.
His ambitions came to naught after numerous setbacks.
Zero
Used metaphorically to mean insignificant or worthless.
His contributions to the project were close to zero.
Naught
Nonexistence; nothingness.
Zero
The numerical symbol 0; a cipher.
Naught
The figure 0; a cipher; a zero.
Zero
The identity element for addition.
Naught
Nonexistent.
Zero
A cardinal number indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration.
Naught
Insignificant.
Zero
An ordinal number indicating an initial point or origin.
Naught
Nothing.
Naught can come of this, you mark my words.
Zero
An argument at which the value of a function vanishes.
Naught
(archaic) Nothingness.
Zero
The temperature indicated by the numeral 0 on a thermometer.
Naught
Alternative spelling of nought
Zero
A sight setting that enables a firearm to shoot on target.
Naught
Alternative spelling of nought
Zero
(Informal) One having no influence or importance; a nonentity
A manager who was a total zero.
Naught
Nothing.
Doth Job fear God for naught?
Zero
The lowest point
His prospects were approaching zero.
Naught
The arithmetical character 0; a cipher. See Cipher.
Zero
(Informal) Nothing; nil
Today I accomplished zero.
Naught
In no degree; not at all.
To wealth or sovereign power he naught applied.
Zero
Of, relating to, or being zero.
Naught
Of no value or account; worthless; bad; useless.
It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer.
Go, get you to your house; begone, away!All will be naught else.
Things naught and things indifferent.
Zero
Having no measurable or otherwise determinable value.
Naught
Hence, vile; base; naughty.
No man can be stark naught at once.
Zero
(Informal) Not any; no
"The town has ... practically no opportunities for amusement, zero culture" (Robert M. Adams).
Naught
A quantity of no importance;
It looked like nothing I had ever seen before
Reduced to nil all the work we had done
We racked up a pathetic goose egg
It was all for naught
I didn't hear zilch about it
Zero
Designating a ceiling not more than 16 meters (52 feet) high.
Naught
Complete failure;
All my efforts led to naught
Zero
Limited in horizontal visibility to no more than 55 meters (180 feet).
Zero
(Linguistics) Of or relating to a morpheme that is expected by an established, regular paradigm but has no spoken or written form. Moose has a zero plural; that is, its plural is moose.
Zero
To adjust (an instrument or a device) to zero value.
Zero
The cardinal number occurring before one and that denotes no quantity or amount at all, represented in Arabic numerals as 0.
The conductor waited until the passenger count was zero.
A cheque for zero dollars and zero cents crashed the computers on division by zero.
Zero
The numeric symbol that represents the cardinal number zero.
In unary and k-adic notation in general, zero is the empty string.
Write 0.0 to indicate a floating point number rather than the integer zero.
The zero sign in American Sign Language is considered rude in some cultures.
Zero
The digit 0 in the decimal, binary, and all other base numbering systems.
One million has six zeroes.
Zero
Nothing, or none.
The shipment was lost, so they had zero in stock.
He knows zero about humour.
In the end, all of our hard work amounted to zero.
Zero
The value of a magnitude corresponding to the cardinal number zero.
The electromagnetic field does not drop all of the way to zero before a reversal.
Zero
The point on a scale at which numbering or measurement originates.
The temperature outside is ten degrees below zero.
Zero
(mathematics) A value of the independent variables of a function, for which the function is equal to zero.
The zeroes of a polynomial are its roots by the fundamental theorem of algebra.
The derivative of a continuous, differentiable function that twice crosses the axis must have a zero.
The nontrivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function may all lie on the critical line.
Zero
The additive identity element of a monoid or greater algebraic structure, particularly a group or ring.
Since a commutative zero is the inverse of any additive identity, it must be unique when it exists.
The zero (of a ring or field) has the property that the product of the zero with any element yields the zero.
The quotient ring over a maximal ideal is a field with a single zero element.
Zero
(slang) A person of little or no importance.
They rudely treated him like a zero.
Zero
(military) A Mitsubishi A6M Zero, a long range fighter aircraft operated by the Japanese Navy Air Service from 1940 to 1945.
Zero
A setting of calibrated instruments such as a firearm, corresponding to a zero value.
Zero
(finance) A security which has a zero coupon (paying no periodic interest).
The takeovers were financed by issuing zeroes.
Zero
(informal) No, not any.
She showed zero respect.
Zero
(meteorology) Of a cloud ceiling, limiting vision to 50 feet (15 meters) or less.
Zero
(meteorology) Of horizontal visibility, limited to 165 feet (50.3 meters) or less.
Zero
(linguistics) Present at an abstract level, but not realized in the surface form.
The stem of "kobieta" with the zero ending is "kobiet".
Zero
(transitive) To set a measuring instrument to zero; to calibrate an instrument scale to valid zero.
Zero the fluorometer with the same solvent used in extraction.
George parked in space 34, zeroed the trip meter, closed and locked his car, then went back to the guard shack.
Zero
To change a memory location or range to values of zero; to set a variable in a computer program to zero.
Results were inconsistent because an array wasn’t zeroed during initialization.
Zero
(transitive) To cause or set some value or amount to be zero.
They tried to zero the budget by the end of the quarter.
The bill was over $400, but the server zeroed it out as a gesture of gratitude.
Zero
(transitive) To eliminate; to delete; to overwrite with zeros.
Zero
(intransitive) To disappear.
Zero
A cipher; nothing; naught.
Zero
The point from which the graduation of a scale, as of a thermometer, commences.
Zero
Fig.: The lowest point; the point of exhaustion; as, his patience had nearly reached zero.
Zero
A quantity of no importance;
It looked like nothing I had ever seen before
Reduced to nil all the work we had done
We racked up a pathetic goose egg
It was all for naught
I didn't hear zilch about it
Zero
A mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number
Zero
The quantity that registers a reading of zero on a scale
Zero
Adjust (an instrument or device) to zero value
Zero
Indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration;
A zero score
Zero
Indicating an initial point or origin
Zero
Of or relating to the null set (a set with no members)
Zero
Having no measurable or otherwise determinable value;
The goal is zero population growth
Common Curiosities
What is the difference between naught and zero in usage?
Naught is more literary and philosophical, while zero is mathematical and scientific.
What does it mean when something is "all for naught"?
It means all efforts have been in vain, leading to no result.
Is zero a positive or negative number?
Zero is neither positive nor negative; it is neutral.
Can naught and zero be used interchangeably?
Not typically, as naught implies nothingness, and zero is a specific numeric value.
What are zero-based budgets?
Budgeting that starts from zero and adds expenses as they are justified.
How does zero function in mathematics?
It acts as a placeholder in positional value systems and as the identity element for addition.
How does the concept of zero affect technology?
Zero plays a crucial role in binary code, which is foundational in computer systems.
How did zero get its name?
The word "zero" comes from the Arabic word "sifr," which means empty or nothing.
How does naught convey tone in literature?
It often adds a dramatic or solemn tone to narratives or dialogue.
Can zero be a starting point?
Yes, zero is often the starting point in various measurement scales.
Why is zero important in history?
The concept of zero revolutionized mathematics by enabling a positional notation system and allowing the development of calculus.
What is "ground zero"?
Originally, it referred to the site directly below a nuclear explosion; now it often refers to central points of significant events.
Can zero be used in scales other than temperature?
Yes, zero is used in various scales, including sea level and sound levels.
What is the philosophical significance of naught?
It often explores themes of emptiness or existential nihilism.
What does "zero tolerance" mean?
It refers to policies that allow no exception in certain situations.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
