zipper

1 of 2

noun

zip·​per ˈzi-pər 

: a fastener consisting of two rows of metal or plastic teeth on strips of tape and a sliding piece that closes an opening by drawing the teeth together

zipper

2 of 2

verb

zippered; zippering; zippers

transitive verb

: zip entry 5

Examples of zipper in a Sentence

Noun

The zipper was stuck and we couldn't open the suitcase.

Can you help him with his zipper?

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Marked down to as little as $39 right now, the Travelon crossbody is equipped with cut-resistant cables inside the shoulder straps, slash-proof polyester panels, and locking zippers. — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

The city was full of people doing the same thing, with hundreds of little factories stitching and pressing petals in the buildings above the button guys and the zipper guys and the thread guys. — Jeanne Malle, Air Mail, 4 July 2026

Verb

Plus, there's an elegance to it because its closure is buttoned and not zippered. — Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 29 June 2026

Your essentials will stay secure, too, thanks to two side-slit pockets and two zippered back pockets. — Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from Zipper, a trademark

First Known Use

Noun

1924, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1927, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for zipper

• chipper
• clipper
• dipper
• flipper
• gripper
• kipper
• nipper
• ripper
• shipper
• skipper
• slipper
• stripper

Kids Definition

zipper

noun

zip·​per

ˈzip-ər

: a fastener consisting of two rows of metal or plastic teeth on strips of tape and a sliding piece that closes an opening by drawing the teeth together

zippered

-ərd

adjective

Etymology

Noun

from Zipper, a former trademark