A novel fluorescent chemosensor based on the oxadiazole, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole, was designed and synthesized. The interaction of the oxadiazole with different metal ions had been investigated through UV–vis absorption and fluorescence spectra in 9:1 (v/v) ethanol-water (pH=7.0) solution. The oxadiazole showed a pronounced fluorescence enhancement at 430nm upon addition of Zn2+ in aqueous solution, whereas it had no apparent interference from other metal ions. The results indicated that the oxadiazole possessed high selectivity and sensitivity to Zn2+ ion. The stoichiometric ratio between the oxadiazole and Zn2+ ion was calculated to be 2:1 by Job plot experiment, meanwhile their binding modes was confirmed by 1H NMR and mass spectrometry. Their association constant was determined to be 1.95×105M−1 and the detection limit for Zn2+ ion was 6.14×10−7mol/L. Display omitted •An oxadiazole derivative based fluorescent probe was synthesized.•The oxadiazole exhibited a highly selective fluorescence enhancement toward Zn2+.•The oxadiazole had good selectivity and sensitivity to Zn2+ in aqueous solutions.•The sensing property was monitored by UV–vis, fluorescence, 1H NMR and MS spectroscopy.