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

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 • Nov. 26, 2025

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

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

From BBC • Sep. 5, 2025

The transfer from Appalachian State was taking the first repetitions during the roughly 12 minutes of practice drills reporters were allowed to watch Tuesday, firing passes with considerable zing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2025

Cejas’s story gallops on and on, and I feel her sparkle zing right through the phone and into my hand.

From "Beast Rider" by Tony Johnston & María Elena Fontanot de Rhoads