LoginThe Letter Z
In this lesson, you will learn about all the sounds of the letter Z. It is the twenty-sixth and final letter of the English alphabet. Let's begin.
Z is the twenty-sixth and final letter of the English alphabet. It is a consonant.
Consonants are sounds that are pronounced with restriction in the vocal tract.
| Uppercase Form | Z |
|---|---|
| Lowercase | z |
| Name | zee (pronounced /ˈziː/) |
| Common Sounds | /z/, /s/, /∅/ |
Pie Chart of 'z' Pronunciation in American English
The Letter Z: Sounds
The letter Z has two common sounds:
Sound 1: /z/
The letter 'z' normally sounds /z/ before a vowel:
squee
li
Sound 2: /s/
The letter 'z' also sounds /s/ if it is placed after a consonant:
Walt
pret
Sound 3: /∅/
'z' is silent in French loanwords:
rende
che
The Letter Z: Multigraphs
'Z' can be combined with other letters, mainly consonants.
zz
'zz' sounds /z/:
pu
bli
bu
Warning!
However, 'zz' in the loanword 'pizza' sounds /ts/.
pi
Tip!
The letter 'zu' sounds /ʒ/ in the word 'seizure':
sei
The Letter Z: Uses
The letter Z can be:
• Synonym with 'sleep' in informal North American English if it is used plural: Z's, for example:
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