zipper

[ zip-er ]

noun

1. Also called slide fastener. a device used for fastening clothing, valises, etc., consisting of two toothed tracks or spiral metal or plastic coils, each bordering one of two edges to be joined, and a piece that either interlocks or separates them when pulled.
2. a person or thing that zips. zip.
3. a rubber and fabric boot or overshoe fastened up the leg by a zipper.
4. a large illuminated display of news bulletins or advertisements that rapidly and continously flash by on an upper part of a building.

verb (used with or without object)

1. zip ².

zipper

/ ˈzɪpə /

noun

1. 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 Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)zip

Other Words From

• zipper·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of zipper¹

1920–25, Americanism; formerly a trademark; zip ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

In designing the shoe, Reinertsen says the design team used their years of research that went into developing the original FlyEase, which used zippers and other ties to make for an easier and still secure lace-up.

From Popular-Science

“If a product has a zipper, then that will be its weakest link,” Godfrey says.

From Outside Online

The sturdy materials, belt loops, buttons, and zippers make these pants feel like they’ll last a lifetime, which goes a long way to justifying their price.

From Outside Online

A zipper along the outside makes it possible to remove the fur coat altogether for cleaning.

From TechCrunch

That means they’ll also try to keep the weight of the fabrics, zippers, and other features to a minimum.

From Outside Online

They have two front welt pockets, two back welt pockets, two hook closures at the waist, and a zipper fly.

From The Daily Beast

Even stranded in a desert, Spears manages to stay sexy and classy (okay, minus the easy-access zipper).

From The Daily Beast

When he went to prison, he had a couple of tattoos, he says—a star, a zipper around his wrist.

From The Daily Beast

Unfortunately, I was wearing one of their dresses today, but at the last minute the zipper broke!

From The Daily Beast

Just as Strauss-Kahn critics joked that his zipper could be his undoing, Sarkozy cynics bet on a baby.

From The Daily Beast

He was portly, gray-haired, arrogant-faced; he wore a short black jacket with a jewelled zipper-pull, and striped trousers.

From Project Gutenberg

Did he normally wear a zipper jacket of the character shown on that exhibit?

From Project Gutenberg

As soon as he fastened the last zipper his companion jammed one of the domed helmets on his head.

From Project Gutenberg

Oh, when he came back he had the zipper satchel and the clothes on the hanger, is that right?

From Project Gutenberg

That little zipper satchel bag and some clothes on a hanger.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• connection
• link