zoom

[ zoom ]

/ zum /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR zoom ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to move quickly or suddenly with a loud humming or buzzing sound: cars zooming by on the freeway.

to fly an airplane suddenly and sharply upward at great speed for a short distance, as in regaining altitude, clearing an obstacle, or signaling.

Movies, Television. to bring a subject, scene, etc., into closeup or cause it to recede into a long shot using a zoom lens and while maintaining focus.

Informal. to increase or rise suddenly and sharply: Rents would zoom without rent control laws.

verb (used with object)

to cause (an airplane) to zoom.

to fly over (an obstacle) by zooming.

noun

the act or process of zooming.

a zooming sound.

Informal. zoom lens.

Also called zoom shot. Movies, Television. a shot in which a subject, scene, or action is brought closer or made to recede by the use of a zoom lens.

Verb Phrases

zoom in (on),

to bring (a subject, scene, etc.) into closeup by using a zoom lens: to zoom in for a look at the injured man; to zoom in on a candidate at a political convention.
to examine more closely or in greater detail; focus on: The panel zoomed in on the subject of abortion.

Nearby words

Origin of zoom

First recorded in 1885–90; imitative

SYNONYMS FOR zoom

1. buzz, speed, streak, flash.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR zoom ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Examples from the Web for zoom

If you zoom in on Google Maps, you can just make out the jumbles of industrial machinery tucked away inside.
The Fiery Underground Oil Pit Eating L.A.|Geoff Manaugh|December 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It beats a screen grab because you can zoom in and out as you travel.
How to Get Cheaper Tickets, Live Like a Local, and Other Great Travel Hacks|Brandon Presser|June 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Click here to zoom in, then take a look at the bottom hem of the topless Psyche's dress.
The Unknown Masterpiece|Blake Gopnik|November 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Unlike humans, it can watch for days, even years, watch an entire city, zoom in close, use heat sensors and infrared.
Why Drones Make Us Nervous|Josh Dzieza|May 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Yes, it may be individually rational, but let's zoom back to 30,000 feet and look at the whole society.
Don't Have Enough to Worry About? Here's One More Thing: Low Growth May be Here to Stay.|Megan McArdle|March 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Then the four on the steps saw the pilot drop something overside and zoom upward missing the roof of the house by inches.
Dorothy Dixon and the Mystery Plane|Dorothy Wayne
Then the experienced pilot lifted her in a zoom that was simply magnificent, and they were off on their adventure at last.
Eagles of the Sky|Ambrose Newcomb
He had lost flying speed on his zoom to get at the green plane.
Aces Up|Covington Clarke
Us hear bullets go 'zoom' through de air 'round dat tree but us didn't know it was bullets.
Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves.|Work Projects Administration
Prospective employers took one look at your horoscope and—zoom, the door.
Conquest Over Time|Michael Shaara

British Dictionary definitions for zoom

zoom

/ (zuːm) /

verb

to make or cause to make a continuous buzzing or humming sound

to move or cause to move with such a sound

(intr) to move very rapidly; rushwe zoomed through town

to cause (an aircraft) to climb briefly at an unusually steep angle, or (of an aircraft) to climb in this way

(intr) (of prices) to rise rapidly

noun

the sound or act of zooming

See zoom lens

Word Origin for zoom

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

Word Origin and History for zoom

zoom

1886, of echoic origin. Gained popularity c.1917 as aviators began to use it; zoom lens is 1936.

zoom

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

Verb Phrases

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Nearby words

Origin of zoom

Examples from the Web for zoom

zoom

verb

noun

Word Origin for zoom

zoom