The crystallographic polarity of the noncentrosymmetric material zincite (ZnO) has been determined by a rapid x‐ray absorption edge method. The polarity results have been correlated to marked differences in etching behavior and crystal morphology in opposite polar directions of ZnO crystals. These differences are shown to be consistent with the proposed surface bonding model for AII‐BVIcompounds. Crystal morphology is shown to be a useful criterion to indicate crystallographic polarity in well‐formed wurtzite‐type crystals.