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

Example Sentences

It’s a salad that can sit in the fridge for days without losing its snap, yet it’s never inert: a forkful zings, a little sweet, a little tart, a little green, a little peppery.

From Salon

You can eat it on its own or as a topping to many of the other dishes if you want to add a little zing.

From Salon

The real zing comes from her addition of toasted and crushed Sichuan peppercorns.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s a great song pick with manic crescendos — You blow a fuse, zing boom!

From Los Angeles Times

After recovering from a serious hip injury, Breach has rediscovered her pinball zing.

From BBC