zip

¹

[ zip ]

noun

1. a sudden, brief hissing sound, as of a bullet.
2. Informal. energy; vim; vigor:

   Wow, you've got zip today—too much coffee this morning?

   Synonyms: vitality, vivacity, verve, dash, pep

verb (used without object)

, zipped, zip·ping.

1. to move with a zipping sound.
2. Informal. to act or move with speed or energy:

   I'll just zip upstairs.

verb (used with object)

, Informal.

, zipped, zip·ping.

1. to convey with speed and energy:

   I'll zip you downtown on my motorcycle.

2. to add vitality or zest to (usually followed by up ):

   A little garlic zips up a salad.

zip

²

[ zip ]

verb (used with object)

, zipped, zip·ping.

1. to fasten or unfasten with a zipper: Zip open the traveling case.

   Zip your jacket.

   Zip open the traveling case.

2. to enclose or free by doing up or undoing a zipper:

   Zip this money into your wallet. Zip me out of my dress.

3. Computers. to compress (a file) in archive format, so it requires less memory to save and store it.

verb (used without object)

, zipped, zip·ping.

1. to become fastened or unfastened by means of a zipper:

   a handy purse that zips shut.

2. to do up or undo a zipper.

noun

1. zipper ( def 1 ).

adjective

1. utilizing or having a zipper:

   a coat with a zip front.

2. Computers. of or relating to a method of file compression:

   a zip file.

zip

³

[ zip ]

noun

1. zero or nothing:

   The score of last night's hockey game was 4–zip.

verb (used with object)

, zipped, zip·ping.

1. (in sports) to defeat by keeping an opponent from scoring:

   The home team was zipped again yesterday.

zip

⁴

[ zip ]

noun

1. zip code.

Zip

⁵

[ zip ]

Trademark.

1. a floppy disk form of storage for computer data with a capacity of 100–750 MB, used primarily in the 1990s:

   a Zip drive;

   a Zip disk.

Zip

¹

/ zɪp /

noun

1. an electric water heater

zip

²

/ zɪp /

noun

1. 1. Also calledzip fastener a fastening device operating by means of two parallel rows of metal or plastic teeth on either side of a closure that are interlocked by a sliding tab US and Canadian termzipper
   2. modifier having or equipped with such a device

      a zip bag

2. a short sharp whizzing sound, as of a passing bullet
3. informal.
   energy; vigour; vitality
4. slang.
   nothing
5. slang.
   sport nil

verb

1. troften foll byup to fasten (clothing, a bag, etc) with a zip
2. intr to move with a zip

   the bullet zipped past

3. intr; often foll by along, through, etc to hurry; rush

   they zipped through town

4. tr computing to compress (a file) in order to reduce the amount of memory required to store it or to make sending it electronically quicker

Other Words From

• zipless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of zip¹

First recorded in 1850–55; imitative of the sound

Origin of zip²

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40; back formation from zipper

Origin of zip³

First recorded in 1895–1900; Americanism; apparently an expressive word, with z- of zero; zilch

Origin of zip⁴

By ellipsis

Word History and Origins

Origin of zip¹

C19: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

To get around these problems, the scientists developed a "molecular GPS" for immune cells that guided them with a "zip code" for the brain and a "street address" for the tumor.

From Science Daily

Issues of X-Men from the '90s zip me into the backseat of my parent’s car, safe with them at the wheel.

From Salon

Normally, most proteins zip around the cell bumping into other molecules until they locate the molecule they work with or act on.

From Science Daily

Designers could only use parts of the old gowns, including buttons and zips, to build their designs from scratch.

From BBC

"People relate to their own zip code, their local environment where their family and friends live. Providing local climate simulations becomes intuitive, personal, and relatable."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• oomph
• pep
• sparkle
• verve
• vigor