zinger
Americannoun
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a quick, witty, or pointed remark or retort.
During the debate she made a couple of zingers that deflated the opposition.
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a surprise, shock, or piece of electrifying news.
The president's resignation was a real zinger.
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a person or thing that has vitality or animation or produces startling results.
Etymology
Origin of zinger
Explanation
A zinger is a sharp, funny remark that takes the listener by surprise. A zinger isn’t just a snappy comeback or insult, it’s a clever play on words. Dorothy Parker, an American writer (1893-1967), is queen of the zingers. Some favorites: “The first thing I do in the morning is brush my teeth and sharpen my tongue” and “Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone.” Zingers tend to be funny, and they're often quick, sharp, and even a little mean. Friends often trade zingers as they playfully make fun of each other. Zingers are also called quips or one-liners.
Vocabulary lists containing zinger
Comedy Lingo
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Abner and Me
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
All America wants is to see its new favorite TV personality, Zlatan, get one last zinger in at Alexi Lalas.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
Another forehand zinger on his first match point clinched victory and a second-round meeting with either France's Gael Monfils or Bolivia's Hugo Dellien on Thursday.
From BBC ● May 27, 2025
Fittingly, the humor bobs and weaves, setting up punchlines only to pivot to a zinger.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 24, 2024
He arrived at the next debate prepared with a now-famous zinger.
From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2023
And then I go for it, risking my worst talent with an improvised, final zinger: “It’s a tough thing to have a mom with a stomach ailment, when you barely have a dad at all.”
From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
