zing

American  

[zing] / zɪŋ /

noun

1. vitality, animation, or zest.

2. a quality or characteristic that excites the interest, enthusiasm, etc..

   a tourist town with lots of zing.

3. a sharp singing or whining noise, as of a bullet passing through the air.

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verb (used without object)

1. to move or proceed with a sharp singing or whining noise.

   The cars zinged down the highway.

2. to move or proceed with speed or vitality; zip.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to move with or as with a sharp, singing or whining noise.

   The pitcher zinged a slider right over the plate.

2. Slang. to blame or criticize severely.

   City Hall always gets zinged when crime increases.

zing British  

/ zɪŋ /

noun

1. a short high-pitched buzzing sound, as of a bullet or vibrating string

2. vitality; zest

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verb

1. (intr) to make or move with or as if with a high-pitched buzzing sound

Etymology

Origin of zing

First recorded in 1910–15; imitative

Explanation

Zing is a quality of excitement or enthusiasm. If you want to add some zing to your nephew's birthday party, you might want to hire a magician or offer pony rides. A director might add zing to her movie by enticing a big movie star to play a role, and your brother may tend to put extra zing in his stories in the form of exaggerated, colorful details. In both examples, zing makes something that's slightly dull seem a bit livelier. You can also use zing for a spicy or piquant flavor: "I put some cayenne pepper in the sauce to give it some zing."

Example Sentences

Zing News is owned by the country's main messaging app Zalo which in turn is a unit of VNG.

From Reuters • Jul. 13, 2023

As part of American Licorice, Theo will join a portfolio of organic brands, including Torie & Howard and Zing Bar.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 29, 2023

Woodland, another lightly fizzy honey wine from Empress, is more linear than Ficus Zing, with a dry green tea base, tart pink berry notes, and an inspired blast of cool juniper on the finish.

From Salon • Nov. 24, 2021

At the turn of the century a site called Zing promised, in a first, “free unlimited online storage” for photos.

From New York Times • Nov. 29, 2018

Zing backed up, and for a moment not a puppy moved.

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George