zip

1 of 6

verb (1)

ˈzip How to pronounce zip (audio)
zipped; zipping; zips
Synonyms of zipnext

intransitive verb

1
: to move, act, or function with speed and vigor
2
: to travel with a sharp hissing or humming sound

transitive verb

1
: to impart speed or force to
2
: to add zest, interest, or life to
—often used with up
3
: to transport or propel with speed

zip

2 of 6

noun (1)

1
: a sudden sharp hissing or sibilant sound
2
: energy, vim
zipless
ˈzip-ləs How to pronounce zip (audio)
adjective

zip

3 of 6

noun (2)

: nothing, zero
the final score was 27 to zip

zip

4 of 6

noun (3)

chiefly British
: zipper

zip

5 of 6

verb (2)

zipped; zipping; zips

transitive verb

1
a
: to close or open with or as if with a zipper
b
: to enclose or wrap by fastening a zipper
2
: to cause (a zipper) to open or shut

intransitive verb

: to become open, closed, or attached by means of a zipper

zip

6 of 6

noun (4)

often all capitalized
: zip code sense 1

Synonyms

Verb (1)

Noun (1)

Noun (2)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of zip in a Sentence

Verb (1) a dragonfly zipped by my ear the fly zipped around the room, trying to find a way to the outside knowing that she was already late, she went zipping off to meet her next client Noun (1) he has surprising zip for a man his age Noun (2) I've got zip as far as new ideas go
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
On Cape Lookout, families can explore the area by UTV, zipping along sand roads and beaches to visit the famous Cape Lookout Lighthouse and its historic district. — Roger Sands, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025 Also, after a nine-year journey, the probe passed its second major science target, zipping by the KBO Arrokoth in 2019, the most distant object ever inspected up close. — Leonard David, Space.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
The top zip closure ensures that all belongings remain securely inside, while the slip-in side pockets provide easy organization. — Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 6 Mar. 2025 Choose the Right Storage Containers After the seeds are safely tucked away in envelopes or seed packets, store the packets in zip lock bags, mason jars, photo boxes, upcycled takeaway containers, or tins. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for zip

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

imitative of the sound of a speeding object

Noun (2)

origin unknown

Verb (2)

back-formation from zipper

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1852, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1900, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1925, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1925, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (4)

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zip was in 1852

Phrases Containing zip

Rhymes for zip

See All Rhymes for zip

Browse Nearby Words

zip
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Zip.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zip. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

zip

1 of 5 verb
ˈzip How to pronounce zip (audio)
zipped; zipping
1
: to move or act with speed and energy
2
: to travel with a sharp hissing or humming sound
3
: to add energy, interest, or life to
—often used with up

zip

2 of 5 noun
1
: a sudden sharp hissing sound
2
: vim, energy

zip

3 of 5 verb
zipped; zipping
: to close or open with a zipper

zip

4 of 5 noun
: zero entry 1 sense 1
won the game 7–zip

zip

5 of 5 noun
often capitalized Z&I&P
: zip code
Etymology

Verb

a word created to imitate the sound of an object speeding past

Verb

from zipper

Noun

origin unknown

More from Merriam-Webster on zip

Nglish: Translation of zip for Spanish Speakers

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