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• zip
  zip

  noun

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

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

zip

¹ American  

[zip] / zɪp /

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

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verb (used without object)

zipped, zipping

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, zipping

1. to convey with speed and energy.

   I'll zip you downtown on my motorcycle.

2. to add vitality or zest to (usually followed byup ).

   A little garlic zips up a salad.

zip ² American  

[zip] / zɪp /

verb (used with object)

zipped, zipping

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.

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verb (used without object)

zipped, zipping

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.

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 American  

[zip] / zɪp /

noun

1. zero or nothing.

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

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verb (used with object)

zipped, zipping

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

   The home team was zipped again yesterday.

zip ⁴ American  

[zip] / zɪp /

noun

1. zip code.

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Zip ⁵ American  

[zip] / zɪp /

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.

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zip ¹ British  

/ zɪp /

noun

1. 1. 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

   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

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verb

1. 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

Zip ² British  

/ zɪp /

noun

1. an electric water heater

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Other Word Forms

• zipless
  adjective

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

See Examples For:

zip Zip zipped zipping

So it goes, even when Hal uses his ring to zip into the sky at supersonic speed from California to Rushville, Nebraska, leaving John to fly coach and rent a car to meet him there.

From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026

James has changed teams three times before, but the circumstances are far different than when he was a superstar in his prime reshaping the league by switching his zip code.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 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

A 10-year-old boy is in hospital after falling while preparing to take on a zip wire on a school trip.

From BBC ● May 19, 2026

In the first week of school, Deja, as they’d filed out of the orchestra room, had leaned over to zip an unfastened pocket on Izzy’s bookbag, concealing her exposed gym clothes.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

In one report, Realtor.com found that in the 43 Zip codes where large data centers went up between 2019 and 2025, home prices went up at a “nearly identical rate” as in areas without them.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 4, 2026

These seem to be "Zip files" that usually contain many compressed pieces of information.

From BBC ● Feb. 11, 2026

Block’s company Afterpay, Sezzle and Zip also received the letter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 1, 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 next day was 1 Zip, the following day was 2 Zip, and so forth, until they reached 19 Zip.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

But we keep them all the same, zipped tight in that storage bag just in case they get any ideas.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026

Drawstrings along the shorts allow for adjustable length, a high turtleneck can be zipped up or pulled down for breathability, and reflective elements make the piece visible at night.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2026

She zipped to The WSJ Money Interview in a Cadillac Escalade outfitted with an engine that roars like a race car and retails for around $180,000.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 10, 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

Mrs. Trepid carried it to the fitting room, and once she had the dress on and zipped, she turned to look in the mirror.

From "Ruby Holler" by Sharon Creech

Chargers rookie wide receiver Brenen Thompson said he doesn’t love zipping around.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 9, 2026

One said its e-scooters were "a great way for adults to get around the city, zipping between traffic at speeds of up to 15mph".

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

Engineers at SpaceX have acknowledged difficulties developing the rocket, which they hope in the future to operate more like a plane zipping in and out of airports.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 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

The creature stared at the arrow zipping by as if wondering, What the heck is that?

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• oomph
• pep
• sparkle
• verve
• vigor