Oxford Business English Dictionary for Learners of English

.zero-'rated adjective used to describe goods or services on which a particular tax (VAT) is not charged: These goods are zero-rated for VAT. -» standard-rated ► .zero-'rate verb [+ obj] .zero 'rating noun [и]: a plan to abolish the zero rating of exports within the EU

.zero-'sum game noun [c] a situation in which what is gained by one person or group is lost by another person or group

positive-sum game

zip /zip/ verb [+ obj] (-pp-) (IT) zip sth (up) to make a computer file smaller in order to send it or store it IsynI compress [oppI unzip

'zip code (also spelled ZIP) = postcode 'zip file noun [c] (IT) a computer file that has been made smaller in order to be sent or stored

zone /zaun; AmE zoun/ noun, verb

noun [C]

see also: enterprise zone, foreign trade free time ~

an area or a region with a particular feature or use: an industrial zone о the danger/safety zone

one of the areas that a larger area is divided into for the purpose of organization: postal charges to countries in zone 2

verb [+ obj] (usually be zoned)

to keep an area of land to be used for a particular purpose: The town centre was zoned for office development.

to divide an area of land into smaller areas ► 'zoning noun [u]

'Z-SCOre noun [c] (Finance) a measure of how likely a business is to fail: A credit-strength test gave the company a Z-score ofO, which indicated a 50% probability of bankruptcy.

1 [only before noun] used to describe an aspect of sth that you consider to be a good thing: The airline's safety record is a major plus point, о On the plus side, all the staff are enthusiastic. (oppI minus

2 usu.i 1 the point [s-ng ] the main or most important idea in sth that is said or done: The point is that unless we reduce costs well go bankrupt. ■> TU come straight to the point: we need more money.

О to come to get to the pomt • to get miss :ne po nt

3 [ s: ng.] the purpose or aim of sth: What's the point of this memo? о There's no point m throwing good money after bad.

5 [c] a particular quality or feature that sb sth has: He has some good points. 0 One of the project's plus points is that it is very cheap.

О good strong/plus points

6 :c] a particular time, stage or level: At one point, the dollar fell to 128c to the euro. ■■■ The negotiations have reached a critical point.

О a high low pomt * to get to reach a point

7 Finance■ [C] a mark or unit on a scale of measurement, especially a financial index: Blue chip stocks were up §7points, о The FTSE index closed down 144.51 points, о Denmark's central bank cut its rates by half a point

:o drop fail'increase'jump rise. b\ points

8 [c] a unit used to measure the quality of sb sth: Lending decisic is are made on a points system.

9 [C] a particular place or area: III wait for you at the meeting point in the arri\-als halL о Hamburg remains the focal point = the centre of our work.