zip

¹zip

verb \ˈzip\

zippedzip·ping

Definition of ZIP

intransitive verb

1

: to move, act, or function with speed and vigor

2

: to travel with a sharp hissing or humming sound

transitive verb

1

: to impart speed or force to

2

: to add zest, interest, or life to —often used with up

3

: to transport or propel with speed

Origin of ZIP

imitative of the sound of a speeding object

First Known Use: 1852

Rhymes with ZIP

blip, chip, clip, dip, drip, flip, grip, grippe, gyp, hip, kip, lip, nip, pip, quip, rip, scrip, ship, sip, skip, slip, snip, strip, tip, trip, whip, yip

²zip

noun

Definition of ZIP

1

: a sudden sharp hissing or sibilant sound

2

: energy, vim

— zip·less \-ləs\ adjective

First Known Use of ZIP

1867

³zip

noun

Definition of ZIP

: nothing, zero <the final score was 27 to zip>

Origin of ZIP

origin unknown

First Known Use: circa 1900

⁴zip

noun

Definition of ZIP

chiefly British

: zipper

First Known Use of ZIP

1920

⁵zip

verb

zippedzip·ping

Definition of ZIP

transitive verb

1

a : to close or open with or as if with a zipper

b : to enclose or wrap by fastening a zipper

2

: to cause (a zipper) to open or shut

intransitive verb

: to become open, closed, or attached by means of a zipper

Origin of ZIP

back-formation from zipper

First Known Use: 1932

⁶zip

noun, often all capitalized

Definition of ZIP

: zip code 1

First Known Use of ZIP

1969

Other Postal Terms

cancel, frank, indicia, philatelist