zero-sum, adj.

zero-sum
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zero-sum_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2018

# zero-sumadjective

## Factsheet

### What does the adjective zero-sum mean?

There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective zero-sum. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

### How common is the adjective zero-sum?

About 0.4occurrences per million words in modern written English

1940 | 0.2
1950 | 0.23
1960 | 0.27
1970 | 0.34
1980 | 0.41
1990 | 0.46
2000 | 0.49
2010 | 0.52

### How is the adjective zero-sum pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzɪərəʊsʌm/
ZEER-oh-sum

#### U.S. English

/ˌzɪroʊˈsəm/
zeer-oh-SUM
/ˌziroʊˈsəm/
zeer-oh-SUM

### Where does the adjective zero-sum come from?

Earliest known use

1940s

The earliest known use of the adjective zero-sum is in the 1940s.

OED's earliest evidence for zero-sum is from 1944, in a text by John Von Neumann, mathematician and physicist, and O. Morgenstern.

zero-sum is formed within English, by compounding.

Etymons: zero n., sum n.1

### Nearby entries

1. zero plane, n. 1842–
2. zero point, n. 1789–
3. zero-point energy, n. 1913–
4. zero population growth, n. 1955–
5. zero post, n. 1908–
6. zero-power, adj. 1950–
7. zero-rate, v. 1972–
8. zero-rated, adj. 1972–
9. zero rating, n. 1971–
10. zero sound, n. 1957–
11. zero-sum, adj.1944–
12. zeroth, adj. 1850–
13. zero tillage, n. 1963–
14. zero tolerance, n. 1940–
15. zerovalent, adj. 1906–
16. zero waste, adj. & n. 1974–
17. zero-zero, adj. & n. 1930–
18. zerumbet, n. 1640–
19. zest, n.¹ 1674–
20. zest, n.² 1706
21. zest, v. 1702–

## Etymology

### Summary

Formed within English, by compounding.
< zero n. + sum n.1

## Meaning & use

1. 1.
   1944–
   In game theory: designating a game in which whatever is gained by one side is lost by the other, so that the net change is always zero. More generally: designating any situation in which an advantage to one participant necessarily leads to a disadvantage to one or more of the others. Esp. in zero-sum game.
   1. 1944

      > An important viewpoint in classifying games is this: Is the sum of all payments received by all players (at the end of the game) always zero; or is this not the case?.. We shall call games of the first mentioned type zero-sum games.

      J. Von Neumann & O. Morgenstern, Theory of Games ii. 47
   2. 1957

      > This is what may be called the ‘zero-sum’ concept; power, that is to say, is power over others. The power A has in a system is necessarily and by definition at the expense of B.

      World Politics vol. 10 139
   3. 1966

      > Perhaps the contestants in most important games nowadays (from labour disputes..to international diplomacy) too readily regard their games as zero-sum.

      S. Beer, Decision & Control x. 210
   4. 1980

      > In Europe [in the 1930s] class conflict was seen as a zero-sum game in which one group could only benefit at the expense of another.

      Times Literary Supplement 26 September 1072/2
   5. 2002

      > Poker, in its most basic form, is a zero-sum game. Without a third party like a house or casino that charges a fee to play in the game, the total sum of money at the table remains constant.

      A. Bellin, Poker Nation ii. 19
   sport
   1. maiden 1598–
      That has yielded no results. Of a game. Esp. in Cricket of an over (or ball): from which no runs are scored.
   2. well-run 1601–
      Of a race, etc.: skilfully or successfully raced or contested. Frequently (and earliest) in figurative contexts.
   3. unequal 1636–
      Of a combat or contest: in which one side has an advantage over the other; unfairly matched.
   4. well contested 1722–
      That is the subject of much competition, struggle, or dispute; strongly contested or competed for.
   5. returned 1758–
      Of a match: played between teams who have previously competed against each other, esp. recently. Cf. return match, n. Now rare.
   6. friendly 1780–
      Sport and Games. Of a game or match: played for enjoyment, practice, or love of the game rather than in a spirit of serious competition; not forming…
   7. close-run 1813–
      Of a race or contest: won by a very small margin; involving evenly matched opponents. Frequently in close-run thing. Cf. run, adj. II.9.
   8. foursome 1814–
      Performed by four persons together.
   9. lightweight 1823–
      Of a person or animal: relatively light in weight, under the average weight; spec. (Horse Racing and Sport) designated or classified as a…
   10. tight 1828–
       colloquial or technical. Said of a contest in which the combatants are evenly matched; close; so of a bargain: with little margin of profit…
   11. side 1829–
       As an adverb: with the specified number of players on each team.
   12. one-sided 1839–
       Of a contest (esp. a sporting contest): unequal; uneven.
   13. scratch 1851–
       Gathered together haphazardly, hastily assembled. scratch vote, scratch division, scratch majority: one which, owing to accident or stratagem, does…
   14. international 1859–
       Sport. Of a match, competition, tournament, etc.: involving teams, players or competitors representing two or more countries; played or competed…
   15. all-comers 1860–
       Of, belonging to, or designating a sporting event which anyone may enter.
   16. scrub 1867–
       Hence in general sporting use. Of a team or player: not first-class, not of regular standing; of a game: played by scrub or scratch teams. Also figur…
   17. pointless 1876–
       Of a competitor, team, etc.: not having scored a point. Of a game or contest: in which no point is scored.
   18. scoreless 1885–
       In a game: Having no score. Also, of a game, a period of play, etc.: from which no score results; involving no score. to hold (a person or team) sco…
   19. replayed 1886–
   20. peg-down 1887–
       Designating a competition in which the part of the river bank assigned to each competitor is marked off with a peg or pegs.
   21. all-star 1889–
       North American. Sport. Including or involving only outstanding performers; consisting of the players considered to be the best in their positions in…
   22. stiff 1890–
       Sport. Of a horse or athlete: certain (to win). Also of an event: certainly won, ‘in one's pocket’. Cf. sense A.I.2b. slang. ? Obsolete.
   23. varsity 1891–
       U.S. Applied attributively to sporting events, teams, etc., at or of a university or college. Occasionally absol., a college team. (See also quot…
   24. postseason 1893–
       Taking place after a regular season; of or relating to the postseason.
   25. knock-out 1896–
       Designating (a system used in) a competition or tournament in which the defeated competitors in each round are eliminated.
   26. best-of-(a specified odd number) 1897–
       best-of-(a specified odd number): used attributively to designate a contest between two parties in which the contestant who wins the majority of the…
   27. all-state 1901–
       Selected (usually by nomination or vote) to represent one's state in a match or competition; cf. all-star, adj. A.2, all-American, adj. A.1.
   28. seeded 1901–
       Sport (originally Tennis). Of a draw or event: arranged in such a manner that the most highly ranked competitors do not meet till the later…
   29. junior varsity 1902–
       Of, designating, or relating to the junior varsity. Also in extended use: second-string, small-time (cf. minor league, adj.).
   30. Simon Pure 1905–
       Of a sport, sportsperson, or sporting competition: amateur. Now somewhat rare.
   31. pegged-down 1908–
       = peg-down, adj.
   32. JV 1923–
       = junior varsity, adj.
   33. zero-sum 1944–
       In game theory: designating a game in which whatever is gained by one side is lost by the other, so that the net change is always zero. More…
   34. tie-breaking 1970–
   View in Historical Thesaurus
2. 2.
   1965–
   Of, relating to, or characteristic of zero-sum games or situations (see sense 1).
   1. 1965

      > Riker's..book considers some phenomena, like military alliances, for which his zero-sum assumption is most inappropriate.

      M. Olson, Logic of Collective Action i. 40
   2. 1971

      > C. Wright Mills..used a zero-sum conception of power (i.e., the more one person had the less was available to others).

      Times Literary Supplement 22 October 1335/3
   3. 1983

      > Conditioned by the patriarchal, zero-sum notion of power, we are often tempted to view the skills and good fortunes of others in a competitive fashion.

      J. Macy, Despair & Personal Power ii. 32
   4. 2007

      > We want a 21st Century partnership with Russia, but at times, Russia seems to think and act in the zero-sum terms of another era.

      Times of India 2 June 19/2
   1. unbeheve Old English–1225
      Disadvantageous, unprofitable.
   2. unprofitable c1350–1656
      Evil, wicked; harmful. Obsolete.
   3. thriftless c1400–1592
      Not thriving or prosperous; unsuccessful; unfortunate. Obsolete.
   4. undisposing c1400–
      (un-, prefix¹ affix 4.)
   5. disprofitable 1548–72
      Unprofitable; detrimental.
   6. disadvantageous 1550–
      Creating or resulting in unfavourable circumstances; that places a person or thing at a disadvantage with regard to another or others; involving or…
   7. incommodious 1579–1655
      Disadvantageous, hurtful, injurious. Obsolete.
   8. disadvantageable 1587–1615
      Tending towards disadvantage; disadvantageous, detrimental.
   9. unadvantageable 1603
      Not advantageous or profitable.
   10. lossful 1611–75
       Productive of loss; detrimental; unprofitable.
   11. naught 1620–58
       Injurious, harmful; unlucky. Usually with for or to. Cf. nought, pron. A.3. Obsolete. rare.
   12. disvantageous 1622
       Disadvantageous.
   13. disserviceable 1645–
       Tending to do disservice; unhelpful, hurtful, detrimental.
   14. incommodous 1677
       = incommodious, adj.
   15. unserviceable 1698–
       Prejudicial, disadvantageous.
   16. zero-sum 1965–
       Of, relating to, or characteristic of zero-sum games or situations (see sense 1).
   17. downside 1983–
       Negative, disadvantageous.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
   1. minimax 1947–
      Designating or relating to a strategy that minimizes the greatest loss or risk to which a participant in a game or other situation of conflict will…
   2. maximin 1949–
      Of, relating to, or designating a strategy that maximizes the smallest gain that can be relied on by a participant in a game or other situation…
   3. zero-sum 1965–
      Of, relating to, or characteristic of zero-sum games or situations (see sense 1).
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzɪərəʊsʌm/
ZEER-oh-sum

### U.S. English

/ˌzɪroʊˈsəm/
zeer-oh-SUM
/ˌziroʊˈsəm/
zeer-oh-SUM

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Frequency

zero-sum typically occurs about 0.4 times per million words in modern written English.

zero-sum is in frequency band 4, which contains words occurring between 0.1 and 1 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zero-sum, adj., 1940–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1940 | 0.2
1950 | 0.23
1960 | 0.27
1970 | 0.34
1980 | 0.41
1990 | 0.46
2000 | 0.49
2010 | 0.52

### Frequency of zero-sum, adj., 2017–2024

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the corpus.

Period | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
2017 | 0.46
2018 | 0.45
2019 | 0.45
2020 | 0.46
2021 | 0.45
2022 | 0.45
2023 | 0.45
2024 | 0.45

Originally published as part of the entry for zero, n. & adj.

zero-sum, adj. was revised in June 2018.

zero-sum, adj. was last modified in July 2023.