za
noun
za
1 American
[zah]
/ zɑ /
noun
Slang.
zā
2
American
[zah]
/ zɑ /
noun
ẓā
3
American
[zah]
/ zɑ /
noun
ZA
1
British
abbreviation
za
2
British
abbreviation
Etymology
Origin of za1
An Americanism dating back to 1965–70; by shortening and alteration
Origin of zā2
< Arabic zā ( y )
Origin of ẓā3
From Arabic
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.
See Examples For:
The shirts draped on the seats said Hvala za vse — “Thanks for everything” in Slovenian.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 10, 2025
Scrabble annoys me; I can’t trust a game in which a well-played za scores more points than, well, abbacy.
From Slate ● Feb. 19, 2020
Actual Needs: A large Papa John's za for Jer-Bear, because he's been a little hangry of late.
From Golf Digest ● Apr. 25, 2018
Also on the menu: Japanese pickled vegetables and Chinese yu za kuei, traditional fried crullers.
From New York Times ● Dec. 15, 2011
By the time we get to za, zi, ze, zo, zu, it’s very late.
From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau
Referred to as Dr ZA, she said she feared her job was on the line.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2024
ZA: I never really felt like I was cut out for a 9 to 5.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2024
ZA Bank, operated by a unit of ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance Co Ltd, has set itself the goal of breaking even in five years.
From Reuters ● Dec. 23, 2020
Also sailboats would be useful to a point in the ZA, but not while trying to escape powered navy boats.
From New York Times ● Apr. 18, 2016
In making an observation, it is necessary to take the reading ZA on the long branch, and ZB on the short one.
From A Treatise on Meteorological Instruments Explanatory of Their Scientific Principles, Method of Construction, and Practical Utility by Henry Negretti
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
