zip

¹

[ zip ]

noun

1. a sudden, brief hissing sound, as of a bullet.
2. Informal. energy; vim; vigor:

   Wow, you've got zip today—too much coffee this morning?

   Synonyms: vitality, vivacity, verve, dash, pep

verb (used without object)

, zipped, zip·ping.

1. to move with a zipping sound.
2. Informal. to act or move with speed or energy:

   I'll just zip upstairs.

verb (used with object)

, Informal.

, zipped, zip·ping.

1. to convey with speed and energy:

   I'll zip you downtown on my motorcycle.

2. to add vitality or zest to (usually followed by up ):

   A little garlic zips up a salad.

zip

²

[ zip ]

verb (used with object)

, zipped, zip·ping.

1. to fasten or unfasten with a zipper: Zip open the traveling case.

   Zip your jacket.

   Zip open the traveling case.

2. to enclose or free by doing up or undoing a zipper:

   Zip this money into your wallet. Zip me out of my dress.

3. Computers. to compress (a file) in archive format, so it requires less memory to save and store it.

verb (used without object)

, zipped, zip·ping.

1. to become fastened or unfastened by means of a zipper:

   a handy purse that zips shut.

2. to do up or undo a zipper.

noun

1. zipper ( def 1 ).

adjective

1. utilizing or having a zipper:

   a coat with a zip front.

2. Computers. of or relating to a method of file compression:

   a zip file.

zip

³

[ zip ]

noun

1. zero or nothing:

   The score of last night's hockey game was 4–zip.

verb (used with object)

, zipped, zip·ping.

1. (in sports) to defeat by keeping an opponent from scoring:

   The home team was zipped again yesterday.

zip

⁴

[ zip ]

noun

1. zip code.

Zip

⁵

[ zip ]

Trademark.

1. a floppy disk form of storage for computer data with a capacity of 100–750 MB, used primarily in the 1990s:

   a Zip drive;

   a Zip disk.

Zip

¹

/ zɪp /

noun

1. an electric water heater

zip

²

/ zɪp /

noun

1. 1. Also calledzip fastener a fastening device operating by means of two parallel rows of metal or plastic teeth on either side of a closure that are interlocked by a sliding tab US and Canadian termzipper
   2. modifier having or equipped with such a device

      a zip bag

2. a short sharp whizzing sound, as of a passing bullet
3. informal.
   energy; vigour; vitality
4. slang.
   nothing
5. slang.
   sport nil

verb

1. troften foll byup to fasten (clothing, a bag, etc) with a zip
2. intr to move with a zip

   the bullet zipped past

3. intr; often foll by along, through, etc to hurry; rush

   they zipped through town

4. tr computing to compress (a file) in order to reduce the amount of memory required to store it or to make sending it electronically quicker

Other Words From

• zipless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of zip¹

First recorded in 1850–55; imitative of the sound

Origin of zip²

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40; back formation from zipper

Origin of zip³

First recorded in 1895–1900; Americanism; apparently an expressive word, with z- of zero; zilch

Origin of zip⁴

By ellipsis

Word History and Origins

Origin of zip¹

C19: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

At the time, only residents of 82 ZIP Codes in Los Angeles, Pasadena, San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley were eligible.

From Los Angeles Times

Consumers can go to the Department of Insurance website to see if their ZIP Code is included in a moratorium.

From Los Angeles Times

Serving what he calls the “most unique congregation on Earth,” he caters to the “spiritual and personal needs of all those who travel down the road without a ZIP Code.”

From Los Angeles Times

The program would be phased in over five years, starting with high-need ZIP Codes.

From Los Angeles Times

He said, “Well, we consider it a success when we get 15% or 20% of a ZIP Code, and we can live off of that, no problem. And we think we can get it.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• oomph
• pep
• sparkle
• verve
• vigor