zing

[ zing ]
See synonyms for zing on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. vitality, animation, or zest.

  2. a quality or characteristic that excites the interest, enthusiasm, etc.: a tourist town with lots of zing.

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

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.

Origin of zing

1
First recorded in 1910–15; imitative

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use zing in a sentence

  • "All zings is the same," he murmured to himself in broken English.

    On the Lightship | Herman Knickerbocker Viel
  • "I sought you would like some zings for your face, teacher," said Gretta, opening her satchel.

    Six Girls and Bob | Marion Ames Taggart
  • My name zey get—how old——All zeze zings zey write down—everyzing.

  • Yes; she do some strange zings; she verra good vife—sough—verra good cook.

    The House Opposite | Elizabeth Kent
  • “He vas like to keep zings to himselfs,” said Jan Steenbock meaningly.

    The Island Treasure | John Conroy Hutcheson

British Dictionary definitions for zing

zing

/ (zɪŋ) /


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

  2. vitality; zest

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

Origin of zing

1
C20: of imitative origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012