zip

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/zɪp/
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A swift movement or sound, the act of fastening with a zipper, a slang term for nothing, and a common computer archive format.

Examples

  • They zipped the suitcase tightly for the trip.
  • Please zip the files before sending them.
  • The wind zips past the open window.
  • He zipped through the hallway to catch the bus.
  • She zipped her backpack before the hike.

Similar words

fasten
none
zoom
dash
compressed archive
package
race
seal
clasp
null

Meanings

Move quickly, making a swift sound

verb
physical
neutral
To travel or act at high speed, often accompanied by a short, sharp sound.

Examples

  • The cheetah zips across the savanna.
  • She zipped down the hill on her bike.
  • He zipped through the hallway to catch the bus.
  • The wind zips past the open window.
  • The runner zips past the finish line in record time.
  • A toy car zips along the track.

Similar words

Close with a zipper

verb
everyday
neutral
To fasten a garment or item using a zipper, pulling the slider up or down.

Examples

  • She zipped her backpack before the hike.
  • He zips his coat every morning.
  • The child zipped the toy's small zipper.
  • I need to zip my jacket because it's cold.
  • They zipped the suitcase tightly for the trip.
  • After the rain, she zipped up her raincoat.

Similar words

Zero, nothing

noun
everyday
informal
A slang term meaning none, nothing, or a zero amount.

Examples

  • After the storm, the power was zip.
  • His bank account showed zip after the fees.
  • She said the meeting was zip, no agenda.
  • The report returned zip, no data.
  • I got zip on the quiz, so I studied more.
  • The fridge was empty, just zip inside.

Similar words

Compressed archive file

noun
technology
neutral
A file format that stores one or more files in a compressed form, usually with a .zip extension.

Examples

  • I downloaded the project zip from the server.
  • Please zip the files before sending them.
  • The software can zip large folders efficiently.
  • She extracted the zip using WinZip.
  • The backup is stored as a zip on the cloud.
  • You can zip multiple documents into one archive.

Similar words

Etymology

From an onomatopoeic imitation of a quick sound, first recorded in the early 19th century, and later shortened from zipper in the mid‑20th century.

FAQ

What does zip mean as a verb?

It can mean to move quickly with a short sound, or to fasten something using a zipper.

How is zip used to talk about a zipper?

As a verb, zip means to close or secure a garment by pulling its zipper up or down.

What does zip mean when someone says they have zip?

In informal slang it means zero or nothing, indicating a lack of something.

How is zip used in computing?

It refers to a compressed archive file format that bundles files into a smaller .zip file.

Is zip a regular verb?

Yes, its past tense and past participle are formed regularly as zipped.

Where does the word zip come from?

It originated as an onomatopoeic word imitating a quick sound and later became short for zipper.

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