What does nonzero mean?
Nonzero describes anything whose value is not zero. In mathematics and related fields, it distinguishes a positive or negative quantity from zero and is often used to emphasize that a quantity, probability, coefficient, or error still has some value. The word is also common in computing and the physical sciences when discussing nonzero values, rates, effects, or probabilities. Saying that a quantity is nonzero does not necessarily mean that it is large, significant, or important; it only rules out zero. Although “nonzero” is frequent in technical writing, it is perfectly intelligible in general prose and can be used for emphasis: a nonzero chance of rain, a nonzero amount of disagreement, or a nonzero effect on the outcome. Its close relative “non-null” is used especially in programming, where “null” may represent a missing, empty, or undefined value rather than the number zero.
Not equal to zero; consisting of or having a value other than zero.
"The equation has a nonzero solution."
Common in mathematics, science, computing, and technical writing. It is also used figuratively to mean that something is present or has some effect.
A number, value, or quantity that is not equal to zero.
"Each nonzero contributes to the final sum."
This noun use is chiefly technical, especially in mathematics and computing.
The plural is used chiefly in technical contexts to refer to multiple values that are not zero.
"The program discards nonzeros that fall below the selected threshold."
English once had several words for nothing, including nought, nil, and naught, before zero became the universal mathematical blank.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nonzero come from?
Nonzero is an English compound formed from the prefix non- and the word zero. The prefix comes from Latin non, meaning “not,” while zero entered English through Italian zero, ultimately from Arabic sifr, meaning “cipher” or “empty place.” Cipher and its variant cypher therefore share a distant origin with zero, while none and nonetheless share the Latin non- element found in nonzero.
Related word forms
How nonzero is actually used
Nonzero is especially common in mathematics, computing, physics, and technical writing. It is often written open as “nonzero,” though “non-zero” with a hyphen is also standard; hyphenated usage is particularly frequent in British English. The term means simply that a value is not zero and does not by itself imply that the value is large or important.