Why is the Z sound often spelled with an S?

Many /z/ words are spelled with s, like nose, is, was, and dogs. This list groups words by sound, so those are included even though there is no letter z.

What age should a child say the Z sound?

A clean Z usually develops by about age 4 to 6. Because Z pairs with S, the two are often worked on together.

What are some easy Z words for kids?

Start with zoo, zebra, zip, and buzz. Filter to initial Z to find more starting words.

Word Lists

Z Words

A searchable Z word list you can filter by position, syllables, and word type, built for speech practice.

All Z words Practice phrases How to make it FAQ

Z is the buzzy cousin of S, the sound a bee makes. Half the time it is spelled with an s, which is why nose, is, and cheese are Z words even without the letter z.

All Z words (350)

Search the full list, or filter by position (initial, medial, final), word type, and syllable count. Every word is grouped by sound, not spelling.

Position

Word type

Syllables

350 results of 350 Z words

Initial Z (23)

zonezerozoozipzoomzenzinczeuszionzebrazealzestzulutsarzetazigczarxenonzagzipszingzombiezany

Medial Z (140)

musiccrazyvisituserusedbusinessdozenexitseasonexamlasersizesvisareasonloserpresentresultdesignplazaeasyexilehusbandrosadaisyrazordiseasebasilpresidentcozyresinprisonhousinghazelpresenceezranasalexamplejerseyprismthousandtuesdayozonethursdaychosenpositionreservewednesdaybrazilbusyexistcausingrisingcosyaccusedraisingcousindesertpalsypositivephysicsresortexactaztecwisdombosomanzactransitpreservevisorresolvechasmmagazineclosetresumemuseumpoisonrisersizeduzbekfreezinglazyspasmoppositedesirenewspaperlazarhazardpansypositpuzzleexistenceplasmaresistancewizardmusicalbrowserbusbyeaselposerproposaltransitiontreasonvisitingdessertphasesdesignerbozoenzymecuisineexhaustisraelimezzocaesarcitizendisastertranslationpossessionresidentresidencepleasingasthmawindsororganizationposingtrouserstourismexecutivefreezermissouririsenracismdepositlisbonsalesmanbrazilianlizardpeasantbrunswickgazettejasmine

Final Z (191)

wasdoesdaystimesnewsneedscomescausekidsgoessizewaysarmsroserisedogsturnsraisefundssidesphasegoodsprizenoisenosewisesonsblueseasejazzoddsmarsstaysgainswagesbasesminessizeslensteensseriesposetalesjeansbuzzpausebeesashesskiesquizbowlshoseprosediseasegazeblazelosemansmazespeciesfuseremainsmusepilesteaseleavesclassessurpriselogosclothesguisemainstaxisladiesmillionshazeaidesaxesdemoselvesconesdigscheesecrazemaizereinssessionsglazecolorssinglesgroundsdaresfecesbosehadesrefusemoorssolesrusealwayschoseglassesarieshivesfivespraisephrasefranchisetablesalliesearningsexesfuzzpleasesemisleespoisequartersgrazecruisedubsjapanesebronzecustomsfizzfezcollinscommonsfreezealmsdazegauzeexercisegensbrainswoundstopazeaveslimesproceedsdibsmoresoozetongsbrusselsclausebuttonsexposesandersscalessqueezepalesathensternevenstaosanglesreissometimesthaisgravesupstairsbreezedozeapplausemannersphasesdaisdregssunriseforwardspliesenterpriseheadquartersarisedisguiseheavensindiesoutdoorshastingsneedlestrousersphilippinesrhodesstickersdemisemorningsravensmoralsdiversorleans

Practice phrases

Once single words are solid, phrases move the sound toward real speech.

Say zoo three times.
Say zip three times.
Say zone three times.

Sound /z/

How to make the Z sound

Z is made just like S, with the tongue tip near the front teeth and a thin stream of air, but with the voice turned on so it buzzes. Because it pairs with S, a child with a lisp on S usually has the same distortion on Z. A clean Z typically develops by around age 4 to 6.

Developmental ages from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Keep going

Minimal pairs worksheets

CVC word lists

All speech-sound word lists

Z sound questions

Make it exactly like S, tongue tip near the front teeth and a thin stream of air, but turn the voice on so it buzzes. Put a hand on your throat and you should feel it vibrate.