Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

-z

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.47 in modern English

Syllables: -z
IPA

10

Scrabble Score

1

Letters

2

Syllables

1

Unique Chars

Meaning

suffix

Used as a substitute for -s in marking the plural of nouns. Usually used in words in which the -s suffix is actually pronounced /z/.

Humorous; Slang

suffix

Forms nicknames, especially of personal names.

Australian usage; New Zealand usage; British usage

suffix

Forms colloquial variants of words.

British usage

Example Sentences

"Boyz are always trouble, while girlz just play with their Bratz dolls."
"He lovez me and I love my warez."
"Barry + -z → Baz"
"Sharon + -z → Shaz"
"Jeremy + -z → Jez"
"sorry + -z → soz"

Etymology

An eye dialect spelling variant of -s.

Usage

Derived Forms

onz rabz upz

Phrases

-ez -zza rabz kebabz

Frequently Paired Words

-ez

Questions

What does -z mean?: Used as a substitute for -s in marking the plural of nouns. Usually used in words in which the -s suffix is actually pronounced /z/.
Where does -z come from?: An eye dialect spelling variant of -s.

How to pronounce -z

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “-z”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “-z”.
Repeat and practice — Say “-z” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.