zap

¹zap

interjection \ˈzap\

Definition of ZAP

1

—used to express a sound made by or as if by a gun

2

—used to indicate a sudden or instantaneous occurrence

Origin of ZAP

imitative

First Known Use: 1929

Rhymes with ZAP

cap, chap, clap, crap, flap, frap, gap, gape, hap, knap, lap, Lapp, map, nap, nape, nappe, pap, rap, sap, scrap, slap, snap, strap, tap, trap, wrap, yap, Yap

²zap

verb

zappedzap·ping

Definition of ZAP

transitive verb

1

a : to get rid of, destroy, or kill especially with or as if with sudden force

b : to hit with or as if with a sudden concentrated application of force or energy

c : to irradiate especially with microwaves

2

a : to propel suddenly or speedily

b : to transport instantaneously

3

: to avoid watching (as a television commercial) by changing channels especially with a remote control or by fast-forwarding a videotape

intransitive verb

1

: to move with speed or force

2

: to change television channels using a remote control

Examples of ZAP

1. The flowers were zapped by the cold weather.
2. The aliens in the movie zapped people from spaceships.
3. She reheated her muffin by zapping it in the microwave for a few seconds.
4. I zapped through the channels for a while before falling asleep.
5. We tape the show so we can zap through the commercials.

First Known Use of ZAP

1942

Related to ZAP

Synonyms

bang, bash, bat, belt, biff, bludgeon, bob, bonk, bop, box, bust, clap, clip, clobber, clock, clout, crack, hammer, knock, nail, paste, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slog, slug, smack, smite, sock, strike, swat, swipe, tag, thump, thwack, wallop, whack, whale, hit

Related Words

batter, beat, buffet, bung, chop, cuff, drub, lace, lambaste (or lambast), lick, mangle, maul, pelt, pepper, pommel, pummel, rough; scuff; bunt, flick, stroke, tap; bump, butt, jab, jostle, kick, knee, poke, prod, push, shove, stamp; bowl (down or over), cream, deck, dump [slang], fell, floor, knock down, level; rabbit-punch, sucker punch; cane, club, cudgel, flail, flog, lash, sap, slash, sledge, sledgehammer, spear, stab, switch, thrash, whip; bean, brain, conk, skull

³zap

noun

Definition of ZAP

: a pungent or zestful quality : zip; also : a sudden forceful blow

First Known Use of ZAP

1963