Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

z's

American  
[zeez] / ziz /
Or Z's

noun

(used with a plural verb)
  1. sleep (often used with grab, catch, etc.).

    to grab some z's before dinner.


Etymology

Origin of z's

First recorded in 1960–65; from the conventional use of a series of z's to represent snoring

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.

It’s like a mini sensory deprivation pod, perfect for catching some z’s mid-flight.

From Salon • Dec. 16, 2024

Horses have specialized anatomical features that enable them to stay on their hooves while catching some z's.

From Scientific American • Jun. 12, 2023

The study found that Northern elephant seals sleep far less at sea than they do on land, and the z’s they do catch at sea are caught hundreds of feet below the ocean’s surface.

From New York Times • Apr. 20, 2023

But snoozing was rarely a main selling point for them until a few years ago, when resorts everywhere began offering accommodations and services aimed at curing people of their deficit of z's.

From Washington Post • Apr. 24, 2019

“You want to catch a few z’s in my office?”

From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "z's" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com