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
- 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; zilch
Origin of zip4
By ellipsis
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.
Some people rushed to grocery stores to stockpile goods, though motorcycles delivering takeout meals and groceries continued to zip around the city.
After the show, one of the evening’s comedians, Mina Quarterman, turned to the crowd for advice, as attendees were zipping their coats and readying to leave.
From Los Angeles Times
But for her to keep reinventing herself is so inspiring for me, who’s zipping through these first three albums.
From Los Angeles Times
To demonstrate this, for the next minute, she proceeded to zip into invisible holes and then pop out of other holes at a speed nearly impossible to follow.
From Literature
The way Daisy could zip around on that old home-made crutch was something to see.
From Literature
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.
