noun
zip
zihp
noun
1
A fastener made of two rows of interlocking teeth pulled together by a sliding tab; also called a zipper.
"The zip on his jacket got stuck halfway up."
2
Nothing at all; zero.
"We asked for a refund and got zip."
3
Energy or liveliness.
"That coffee gave me some zip this morning."
verb
1
To fasten something with a zip.
"Zip up your coat, it is freezing outside."
2
To compress one or more computer files into a single, smaller file.
"Zip the folder before you email it, the files are too big otherwise."
3
To move very fast, especially with a brief whooshing or high-pitched sound.
"The go-kart zipped around the last bend."
How to Use Zip
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: a sliding fastener, moving very fast, having zero of something, or compressing a computer file.
Common mistake
As slang for "nothing," zip is informal — use "nothing" or "zero" in formal writing.
Common pairings
zip up
zip a file
zip past
zip code
Word Forms
zipped past tense, zips plural, ZIPs plural, Zips plural, ZIPs plural, zips singular
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The _____ on his jacket got stuck halfway up.
Etymology
An imitative word coined to mimic the quick, sharp sound of something moving rapidly.