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

Aranda sent paying customers a zip file stored on MEGA, a file hosting service based in New Zealand, containing the explicit sexual material via Instagram direct message, according to court documents.

From Los Angeles Times

Nikki’s intention is to ensure “the hardest-hit ZIP Codes” will be first on the list.

From Los Angeles Times

The incident happened on Monday at the Ffear Fforest event at Zip World, in Betws-y-Coed, Conwy county - dubbed "north Wales' ultimate scare fest" by organisers.

From BBC

Zip World said the staff member came into contact with a "potentially dangerous medical device" but declined to comment on claims that it was a needle.

From BBC

Zigzag across Descanso Canyon by zip line.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• oomph
• pep
• sparkle
• verve
• vigor