zing

¹zing

noun \ˈziŋ\

Definition of ZING

1

: a shrill humming noise

2

a : an enjoyably exciting or stimulating quality : zest <really put some zing into this industry — Erwin Fine>

b : a sharply piquant flavor <barbecue sauce with zing>

Examples of ZING

1. They needed to put some zing back into their relationship.
2. The chili peppers give the sauce a little extra zing.

Origin of ZING

imitative

First Known Use: 1911

Related to ZING

Synonyms

beans, bounce, brio, dash, drive, dynamism, energy, esprit, gas, get-up-and-go, ginger, go, gusto, hardihood, juice, life, moxie, oomph, pep, punch, sap, snap, starch, verve, vim, vinegar, vitality, vigor, zip

Antonyms

lethargy, listlessness, sluggishness, torpidity

Related Words

animal spirits, animation, briskness, jauntiness, liveliness, snappiness, spirit, spiritedness, sprightliness, spunk, spunkiness, vibrance, vibrancy, vivaciousness, vivacity; ardor, élan, fervor, fire, passion, zeal; main, metal, mettle, might, muscle, potency, power, puissance, stamina, strength; brawniness, fitness, hardiness, huskiness, sturdiness, virility; health, healthiness, soundness, verdure, wellness

Near Antonyms

indolence, laziness; debilitation, debility, delicacy, disablement, enfeeblement, faintness, feebleness, frailness, frailty, impotence, impotency, infirmity, powerlessness, puniness, slightness, softness, tenderness, weakness; enervation, exhaustion, inanition, prostration

Rhymes with ZING

bring, Ching, cling, ding, fling, king, ling, Ming, ping, ring, sing, sling, spring, sting, string, swing, thing, wing, wring

²zing

verb

Definition of ZING

intransitive verb

1

: to make or move with a humming sound

2

: zip, speed

transitive verb

1

: to hit suddenly : zap

2

: to criticize in a pointed or witty manner

Examples of ZING

1. The comics spent the evening cracking jokes and zinging each other.
2. His opponent has run television ads zinging him.

First Known Use of ZING

1920