ZZZ
AmericanUsage
What does ZZZ mean? ZZZ is used to indicate that someone is sleeping or to represent the sound of snoring, especially in illustrations like comics and cartoons. ZZZ is also seen as zzz and in various other forms of capitalization and with a varying number of Z’s (such as ZzZzZ). It is now often used in texting and other written communication to refer to sleeping or boredom. Example: I thought Carla was going to come, but she just texted me “zzz,” so I guess she’s going to sleep.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Zzz I once walked out of a Sufjan Stevens concert, because staying in the auditorium would have legitimately put me to sleep.
From The Guardian • Jan. 7, 2016
Now the captain turned his head from and then to Mr. Uuu and then to Mr. Www and Mr. Zzz and Mr. Nnn and Mr. Hhh and Mr. Bbb.
From "The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
