An efficient and selective method for acetylation of alcohols using ZnO nanopowder is described. In this method, alcohols are refluxed with a mixture of CH3COOH in the presence of catalytic amounts of ZnO nanopowder to afford their corresponding esters in good yields. This methodology is highly efficient for various structurally different alcohols: 1 degrees, 2 degrees, 3 degrees. The prepared nano zinc oxide used in acetylation of alcohols which in comparison to ordinary ZnO has apparent advantages in promoting the yields of product formation.