English Reference

Word

zoned

US/ˈzoʊnd/

UK/zˈəʊnd/

Definitions

01urban planning

B2 · Law

adj. describes an area of land that is legally set aside for a specific purpose, like houses or factories.

adj. designated by local authorities for a specific type of land use, such as residential, commercial, or industrial.

“This part of the city is zoned for residential use only, so you cannot build a factory here.”

“The developer faced significant legal hurdles because the plot was zoned exclusively for agricultural use rather than commercial development.”

Technical

Usage

Usually placed after the verb 'to be' or before the noun it modifies.

Antonyms

02distracted or high

C1

adj. feeling very tired, distracted, or under the influence of drugs so that you do not notice what is happening.

adj. experiencing a state of detachment, intense focus, or intoxication that results in a lack of awareness of one's surroundings.

“After working for twelve hours straight, I was completely zoned and couldn't even follow the conversation.”

“He sat on the sofa looking completely zoned, barely reacting when his friends tried to get his attention.”

Slang · Informal

Teaching tip

Often used as 'zoned out'; using 'zoned' alone in this sense is more common in casual American English slang.

Synonyms

spaced outdazedstoned

Antonyms

Real-World Examples

“The school has about 830 students , a number smaller than are actually zoned for the school.”
The Conversation · 14 Sept 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference