zip
1 Americannoun
verb (used without object)
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to move with a zipping sound.
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Informal. to act or move with speed or energy.
I'll just zip upstairs.
verb (used with object)
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to convey with speed and energy.
I'll zip you downtown on my motorcycle.
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to add vitality or zest to (usually followed byup ).
A little garlic zips up a salad.
verb (used with object)
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to fasten or unfasten with a zipper: Zip open the traveling case.
Zip your jacket.
Zip open the traveling case.
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to enclose or free by doing up or undoing a zipper.
Zip this money into your wallet. Zip me out of my dress.
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Computers. to compress (a file) in archive format, so it requires less memory to save and store it.
verb (used without object)
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to become fastened or unfastened by means of a zipper.
a handy purse that zips shut.
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to do up or undo a zipper.
noun
adjective
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utilizing or having a zipper.
a coat with a zip front.
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Computers. of or relating to a method of file compression.
a zip file.
noun
verb (used with object)
noun
noun
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Also called: zip fastener. US and Canadian term: zipper. 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
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(modifier) having or equipped with such a device
a zip bag
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a short sharp whizzing sound, as of a passing bullet
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informal energy; vigour; vitality
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slang nothing
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slang sport nil
verb
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to fasten (clothing, a bag, etc) with a zip
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(intr) to move with a zip
the bullet zipped past
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(intr; often foll by along, through, etc) to hurry; rush
they zipped through town
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(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
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
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; apparently an expressive word, with z- of zero; cf. zilch
Origin of zip4
By ellipsis
Explanation
To zip is to close with a zipper. Also, zip means zilch, which is zero or nothing. Make sure to zip your wallet because if everything falls out, you’ll have zip. Zip as in “to close with a zipper” is short for — you guessed it — zipper. If you're cold, zip up your coat. If you zip your lips, you’re not using a zipper but you’re closing your mouth. Zip meaning “nothing” came from kids in the 1900s when they referred to getting a zero on a test. Now, if you have zip, you have nothing, and not just on a test.
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.
See Examples For:
Ben Earl and Freeman were both close to claiming clever kicks ahead with the tryline close at hand, with Jack van Poortvliet bringing some of the zip that was sorely absent in Johannesburg.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
In wealthy zip codes and tony beach towns, shiny new luxury cars have taken a back seat as a status symbol.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 29, 2026
An icon for the Italian way of life, the Vespa is celebrating its 80th birthday with thousands of drivers expected to zip around Rome in the legendary scooters on Saturday.
From Barron's ● Jun. 27, 2026
Even after his release, his combat-gear-clad image, zip ties in hand, became a visual he couldn’t outrun.
From Slate ● May 28, 2026
Farooqi carefully peeled open the plastic bag’s tiny zip top.
From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein
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Zip it: Banter and brief chats are fine.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 9, 2026
Block’s company Afterpay, Sezzle and Zip also received the letter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 1, 2025
It is also planning to upgrade existing sites and open more Zip World attractions across the UK.
From BBC ● Jan. 27, 2025
Zip through suburbs, working-class communities, rolling hills and all sorts of Spanish-named streets until reuniting with the 5 in San Ysidro.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2024
The first day of the month of Zip, for example, was usually called the “installation” or “seating” of Zip.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
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With the would-be tying run standing on first base and one out, Scott crashed hard on Geraldo Perdomo’s sacrifice bunt and zipped a throw across the diamond just in time for the out.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2026
I zipped past shipbuilding facilities and refineries, before cruising by grand historic homes watching over the Mississippi Sound.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 7, 2026
Then he zipped up the bag, slammed the car door shut, and walked out of the lot, onto the sidewalk, and off down the street.
From Slate ● Jan. 27, 2026
I zipped my bags shut, tipped the roomette attendant and dining car team.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 9, 2025
All kinds of girls zipped around like honeybees, some plopping into cozy armchairs, others perched on the spiraled staircases, and a few clustered around the worktables.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
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HONOLULU—My roommates woke up, one by one, at sunrise last week, zipping open their suitcases and sleepily walking to the bathroom.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 6, 2026
He's one of a legion of often young people seen zipping around some of Britain's cities on bright green hired e-scooters and e-bikes operated by US company Lime.
From BBC ● Apr. 3, 2026
It’s a lively university town with breweries everywhere, bikes zipping past on nearly every street, and the kind of easy smiles and hellos that make Midwest nice feel real.
From Salon ● Mar. 31, 2026
Black-clad men are seen stationed near roundabouts, zipping through deserted streets on scooters or inspecting buildings reduced to rubble.
From Barron's ● Mar. 25, 2026
I tell her, stuffing the notebook and money sock into my backpack and zipping it up.
From "Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero" by Kelly J. Baptist
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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.