zip

[ zip ]

/ zɪp /

noun

a sudden, brief hissing sound, as of a bullet.

Informal. energy; vim; vigor.

verb (used without object), zipped, zip·ping.

to move with a zipping sound.

Informal. to act or move with speed or energy: I'll just zip upstairs.

verb (used with object), zipped, zip·ping. Informal.

to convey with speed and energy: I'll zip you downtown on my motorcycle.

to add vitality or zest to (usually followed by up): A little garlic zips up a salad.

Nearby words

Origin of zip

First recorded in 1850–55; of expressive orig.

SYNONYMS FOR zip

2. pep, dash, verve, vivacity, vitality.

zip

[ zip ]

/ zɪp /

verb (used with object), zipped, zip·ping.

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

to enclose or free by doing up or undoing a zipper: Zip this money into your wallet. Zip me out of my dress.

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.

to become fastened or unfastened by means of a zipper: a handy purse that zips shut.

to do up or undo a zipper.

noun

a zipper.

adjective

utilizing or having a zipper: a coat with a zip front.

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

(initial capital letter) Trademark. noting or relating to 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.

Origin of zip

1935–40, Americanism; back formation from zipper

Related formszip·less, adjective

zip

[ zip ]

/ zɪp /

Slang.

noun

zero or nothing: The score of last night's hockey game was 4–zip.

verb (used with object), zipped, zip·ping.

(in sports) to defeat by keeping an opponent from scoring: The home team was zipped again yesterday.

Origin of zip

1895–1900; Americanism; apparently an expressive word, with z- of zero; cf. zilch

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for zipped

If only Sulzberger had managed to keep a zipped upper lip while leaving the dirty work to anonymous underlings.
The Bloodiest Media Coups of 2014|Lloyd Grove|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Shivering, we pulled our hats low our heads and zipped our jackets tight around our chests.
A Little Too Off the Beaten Path in Burma|Katya Cengel|June 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Inside the plastic bag was a zipped cloth bag, and inside that, the remains of a baby.
Utah’s Murderer Mom Is a Monster but She’s Not the First|Steve Miller|April 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I wanted to ask you about one piece in particular, the big polo neck that zipped up the back.
5 Questions for Paul Smith|Tom Sykes|February 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST

It zipped across in a few seconds, causing massive explosions that blew out thousands of windows and broke roofs and walls.
Fire in the Sky! The Russian Meteor’s Aftermath|Anna Nemtsova|February 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Yes, sir; it was zipped up a little bit—the neck was closed—pretty close too.
Warren Commission (7 of 26): Hearings Vol. VII (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
Charley fled her vicinity in extremes of voluble embarrassment as she changed and zipped up the substitute garments.
Master of the Moondog|Stanley Mullen
He eeled into the pressure suit and zipped it up to his neck.
The Aliens|Murray Leinster
"And I've not gone to all this work just for myself," he argued in his mind as he zipped up the garment bag.
Jerry's Charge Account|Hazel Hutchins Wilson
As he zipped open the briefcase he surveyed his features in the mirror.
Monkey On His Back|Charles V. De Vet

British Dictionary definitions for zipped

Zip

/ (zɪp) /

noun

trademark NZ an electric water heater

zip

/ (zɪp) /

noun

Also called: zip 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 tabUS and Canadian term: zipper
(modifier) having or equipped with such a devicea zip bag

a short sharp whizzing sound, as of a passing bullet

informal energy; vigour; vitality

US slang nothing

sport, US and Canadian slang nil

verb zips, zipping or zipped

(tr often foll by up) to fasten (clothing, a bag, etc) with a zip

(intr) to move with a zipthe bullet zipped past

(intr; often foll by along, through, etc) to hurry; rushthey zipped through town

(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

Word Origin for zip

C19: 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

Word Origin and History for zipped

zip

adj.

1963, in U.S. postal ZIP code, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, no doubt chosen with conscious echo of zip (v.1).

zip

v.1

"move rapidly," 1852, of echoic origin. Related: Zipped; zipping. Zip gun "homemade pistol" first recorded 1950.

zip

"zero," 1900, student slang for a grade of zero on a test, etc.; of unknown origin; cf. zilch.

zip

v.2

"to close or fasten by means of a zipper," 1932, back-formation from zipper. Related: Zipped; zipping.

zip

noun

verb (used without object), zipped, zip·ping.

verb (used with object), zipped, zip·ping. Informal.

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of zip

zip

verb (used with object), zipped, zip·ping.

verb (used without object), zipped, zip·ping.

noun

adjective

Origin of zip

zip

noun

verb (used with object), zipped, zip·ping.

Origin of zip

Examples from the Web for zipped

Zip

noun

zip

noun

verb zips, zipping or zipped

Word Origin for zip

zip

zip

zip

zip