Nil vs. Zero: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Nil often implies absence or nothingness in various contexts, while Zero is a numeric value representing no quantity in mathematics.
Key Differences
Nil is a term that generally denotes the absence of anything or a value of nothing, often used in non-mathematical contexts. Zero, on the other hand, is a numerical digit in the decimal system, representing the absence of quantity and is essential in mathematics.
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Nov 26, 2023
In sports and games, scores are often reported as nil when a team fails to score, emphasizing a complete lack of points. Zero, in comparison, is used in numerical scoring systems and calculations, holding a place value in numbers.
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Nov 26, 2023
Nil is sometimes used in informal contexts to describe something that is nonexistent or lacking, conveying a sense of void. Zero, however, is a fundamental concept in mathematics, used to denote neither a positive nor negative value, a starting point on a number line.
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Nov 26, 2023
In programming and computer science, nil can represent a null or undefined value, indicating the absence of a meaningful value. Zero, in contrast, is used as a specific value, often as a starting point for counting or as a default value.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
In legal and formal documents, nil is often used to signify that something does not apply or is not present. Zero is predominantly a mathematical term, used to describe a precise quantitative value, important in calculations and algorithms.
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Nov 26, 2023
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Comparison Chart
General Meaning
Absence or nonexistence.
Numeric value representing no quantity.
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Nov 26, 2023
Usage Context
Non-mathematical, like scores or informal descriptions.
Mathematical and quantitative contexts.
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Implication
Often suggests void or lack.
Indicates a specific, quantifiable absence.
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Programming Usage
Represents null or undefined values.
Used as a definite numeric value.
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Numerical Significance
Does not hold numeric value.
Integral in numbering systems, holds place value.
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Nov 26, 2023
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Nil and Zero Definitions
Nil
Absence of value or null.
The function returned nil, indicating an error.
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Nov 11, 2023
Zero
The numeral 0, representing no quantity.
She had zero tolerance for dishonesty.
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Nov 11, 2023
Nil
A score of zero in sports.
The final score was 5-nil in favor of the home team.
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Nov 11, 2023
Nil
Total absence or nonexistence.
There was nil visibility in the heavy fog.
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Nov 11, 2023
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Nil
Nothing or negligible.
His chances of winning the lottery are practically nil.
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Nov 11, 2023
Zero
A cardinal number indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration.
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Oct 19, 2023
Nil
Not applicable or zero in legal terms.
The report showed nil discrepancies in the audit.
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Nov 11, 2023
Zero
(Informal) One having no influence or importance; a nonentity
A manager who was a total zero.
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Oct 19, 2023
Nil
Nothing; of no account; worthless; - a term often used for canceling, in accounts or bookkeeping.
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Oct 19, 2023
Nil
A special value for a variable used in certain computer languages to mean no assigned value, to be distinguished from the value zero.
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Oct 19, 2023
Nil
A quantity of no importance;
It looked like nothing I had ever seen before
Reduced to nil all the work we had done
We racked up a pathetic goose egg
It was all for naught
I didn't hear zilch about it
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
(Informal) Not any; no
"The town has ... practically no opportunities for amusement, zero culture" (Robert M. Adams).
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
Limited in horizontal visibility to no more than 55 meters (180 feet).
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
(Linguistics) Of or relating to a morpheme that is expected by an established, regular paradigm but has no spoken or written form. Moose has a zero plural; that is, its plural is moose.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
The cardinal number occurring before one and that denotes no quantity or amount at all, represented in Arabic numerals as 0.
The conductor waited until the passenger count was zero.
A cheque for zero dollars and zero cents crashed the computers on division by zero.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
The numeric symbol that represents the cardinal number zero.
In unary and k-adic notation in general, zero is the empty string.
Write 0.0 to indicate a floating point number rather than the integer zero.
The zero sign in American Sign Language is considered rude in some cultures.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
The digit 0 in the decimal, binary, and all other base numbering systems.
One million has six zeroes.
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Zero
Nothing, or none.
The shipment was lost, so they had zero in stock.
He knows zero about humour.
In the end, all of our hard work amounted to zero.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
The value of a magnitude corresponding to the cardinal number zero.
The electromagnetic field does not drop all of the way to zero before a reversal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
The point on a scale at which numbering or measurement originates.
The temperature outside is ten degrees below zero.
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Zero
(mathematics) A value of the independent variables of a function, for which the function is equal to zero.
The zeroes of a polynomial are its roots by the fundamental theorem of algebra.
The derivative of a continuous, differentiable function that twice crosses the axis must have a zero.
The nontrivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function may all lie on the critical line.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
The additive identity element of a monoid or greater algebraic structure, particularly a group or ring.
Since a commutative zero is the inverse of any additive identity, it must be unique when it exists.
The zero (of a ring or field) has the property that the product of the zero with any element yields the zero.
The quotient ring over a maximal ideal is a field with a single zero element.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
(slang) A person of little or no importance.
They rudely treated him like a zero.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
(military) A Mitsubishi A6M Zero, a long range fighter aircraft operated by the Japanese Navy Air Service from 1940 to 1945.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
A setting of calibrated instruments such as a firearm, corresponding to a zero value.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
(finance) A security which has a zero coupon (paying no periodic interest).
The takeovers were financed by issuing zeroes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
(meteorology) Of a cloud ceiling, limiting vision to 50 feet (15 meters) or less.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
(meteorology) Of horizontal visibility, limited to 165 feet (50.3 meters) or less.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
(linguistics) Present at an abstract level, but not realized in the surface form.
The stem of "kobieta" with the zero ending is "kobiet".
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
(transitive) To set a measuring instrument to zero; to calibrate an instrument scale to valid zero.
Zero the fluorometer with the same solvent used in extraction.
George parked in space 34, zeroed the trip meter, closed and locked his car, then went back to the guard shack.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
To change a memory location or range to values of zero; to set a variable in a computer program to zero.
Results were inconsistent because an array wasn’t zeroed during initialization.
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Zero
(transitive) To cause or set some value or amount to be zero.
They tried to zero the budget by the end of the quarter.
The bill was over $400, but the server zeroed it out as a gesture of gratitude.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
The point from which the graduation of a scale, as of a thermometer, commences.
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Zero
Fig.: The lowest point; the point of exhaustion; as, his patience had nearly reached zero.
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
A quantity of no importance;
It looked like nothing I had ever seen before
Reduced to nil all the work we had done
We racked up a pathetic goose egg
It was all for naught
I didn't hear zilch about it
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
A mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number
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Zero
Adjust (as by firing under test conditions) the zero of (a gun);
He zeroed in his rifle at 200 yards
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Zero
Indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration;
A zero score
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
Having no measurable or otherwise determinable value;
The goal is zero population growth
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Oct 19, 2023
Zero
A starting point or neutral value in mathematics.
The thermometer read zero degrees Celsius.
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Nov 11, 2023
Zero
Used in place value systems in numbers.
In the number 105, zero indicates no tens.
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Nov 11, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is nil the same as null in programming?
In programming, nil and null are often used interchangeably to represent an absence of value.
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Nov 26, 2023
Can nil be used in mathematics?
Nil is not typically used in formal mathematics, where zero is the standard term.
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Nov 26, 2023
What is the symbolic meaning of nil?
Symbolically, nil often represents a lack or void.
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Nov 26, 2023
How is zero used in temperature scales?
Zero is used as a baseline in temperature scales like Celsius and Fahrenheit.
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Nov 26, 2023
What does nil mean in sports scoring?
In sports, nil means no points or goals scored.
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Nov 26, 2023
How does zero function in place value?
Zero functions as a placeholder in place value, indicating an absence in a particular position.
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Nov 26, 2023
Is nil a numerical value?
No, nil is not a numerical value but rather a concept of absence.
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Nov 26, 2023
Is zero used in computer programming?
Yes, zero is frequently used in programming for initializing and conditional statements.
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Nov 26, 2023
Does zero have a place in number sequences?
Yes, zero is a crucial part of number sequences, often serving as a starting point.
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Nov 26, 2023
What does a score of nil-nil mean?
Nil-nil means neither team scored any points or goals.
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Nov 26, 2023
What does 'chances are nil' imply?
It implies that there are no chances or the likelihood is extremely low.
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Nov 26, 2023
Can zero be negative or positive?
Zero is neither negative nor positive; it's neutral.
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Nov 26, 2023
Can nil be used in financial statements?
Yes, nil is used in financial statements to indicate the absence of a certain item.
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Nov 26, 2023
How is zero represented in different numeral systems?
Zero is represented by a distinct symbol (like '0') in most numeral systems.
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Nov 26, 2023
What is the role of zero in calculations?
Zero plays a crucial role in calculations, especially in arithmetic operations.
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Nov 26, 2023
Can nil indicate a lack of success?
Yes, nil can imply a lack of success or achievement.
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Nov 26, 2023
Why is zero important in mathematics?
Zero is fundamental in mathematics for operations, algorithms, and as a neutral element.
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Nov 26, 2023
Can zero be used in expressions of probability?
Yes, zero can indicate a complete lack of probability.
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Nov 26, 2023
Does nil have a place in statistics?
In statistics, nil is used to indicate non-occurrence or absence of data.
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Nov 26, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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