Background

The letter z is not a frequently used letter. This lesson will focus on the /z/ sound made by the letter z, although other letters make the same sound. The most common sound representation is the /z/ sound it makes in words like zebra and zero. The letter also makes the /z/ sound when in the medial and final positions, as in frozen and fizz. One z is silent when doubled in words such as buzz and fuzz.

Actually, the letter s in words such as is, was, rags, does, and rose is more frequently used for the /z/ sound than the letter z itself. Among other letters used to make the /z/ sound are: ss as in scissors, cz as in czar, and x as in xylophone.