zip
zip — noun
- zipsingular
- zipsplural
1. A long narrow fastening device with two rows of small interlocking teeth that ar
A long narrow fastening device with two rows of small interlocking teeth that are locked together or pulled apart by sliding a small tab along them, used to close or open fabric items such as clothing and bags.
Rin pulled her jacket zip up to her chin because the wind was blowing hard.
collocation: pull the zip
The zip on Diego's backpack got stuck and he could not open it to get his lunch.
the zip on [item]
Vikram bought a coat with a strong metal zip that was easy to slide up and down.
Shirin's dress had a long zip at the back that her roommate helped her fasten.
A sleeping bag with zips on both sides lets you join two bags together for extra warmth.
文法句型
the zip on [item]
[item] with a zip
用法筆記
In British English, 'zip' is the usual word for this device; in American English, 'zipper' is more common.
常見錯誤
2. A lively, energetic quality or a burst of speed in movement or action, often use
A lively, energetic quality or a burst of speed in movement or action, often used to describe enthusiasm or liveliness.
After a strong coffee, Felix felt a burst of zip and finished his report quickly.
collocation: burst of zip
The party needed more zip, so Asher put on some lively dance music and people started moving.
needed more zip — lacking energy
Tunde ran the first few laps with plenty of zip, but soon ran out of breath.
The editor said the article lacked zip and asked the reporter to make it more exciting.
- sluggishness
Describes the opposite quality of slow, heavy movement without energy.
文法句型
full of zip
lack zip
[someone/something] with zip
用法筆記
Used mostly in positive or encouraging contexts. 'Zip' in this sense often pairs with verbs like 'have', 'lack', or 'add'.
常見錯誤
3. An informal way of saying zero or nothing at all, especially when referring to a
An informal way of saying zero or nothing at all, especially when referring to an amount, score, or result.
The final score was four to zip, and Paul's team went home feeling very disappointed.
sports score: [number] + to + zip
I asked Gabriel how much money he had left, and he shrugged and said zip.
informal answer: said zip
After searching for three hours, the police found zip and closed the missing-person case.
Nadia knows zip about car engines, so she called a mechanic when her car broke down.
- everything
Represents the complete opposite — a full amount rather than nothing.
文法句型
score + zip
got zip
know zip about something
用法筆記
Strongly informal — used in casual conversation, not in formal writing. 'Zip' as 'nothing' is especially common in sports commentary and everyday speech about money or results.
常見錯誤
zip — verb
- zippresent simple I / you / we / they
- zips3rd person singular
- zipping-ing form
- zippedpast simple
1. To fasten or unfasten something, especially an item of clothing or a bag, by sli
To fasten or unfasten something, especially an item of clothing or a bag, by sliding its zip fastener into the closed or open position.
Erik zipped his jacket up to his throat before stepping outside into the cold rain.
phrasal: zip up [clothing]
Rin zipped the tent shut to keep the mosquitoes out during the night.
Nadia helped the little boy zip up his coat and put on his gloves before school.
The suitcase would not zip shut because Shirin had stuffed too many clothes inside it.
Gabriel zipped his laptop into its padded case and walked out of the office.
- unzip
The direct opposite — to open something by pulling its zip apart.
文法句型
zip + [item]
zip up + [item]
[item] zips + adverb
用法筆記
Both 'zip' and 'zip up' are common. 'Zip up' often emphasises the completed action of closing something fully.
常見錯誤
2. To move, go, or travel very quickly, often with a light, smooth motion that sugg
To move, go, or travel very quickly, often with a light, smooth motion that suggests ease and speed.
A young man on a red scooter zipped through the narrow streets of the old town.
pattern: zip + through [place]
Cyrus zipped home after work to change his clothes before meeting friends for dinner.
pattern: zip + home / destination adverb
A small silver sports car zipped past the bus and disappeared around the next bend.
The squirrel zipped up the oak tree before the neighbour's dog could get anywhere near it.
文法句型
zip + preposition (through/past/along/around)
zip + adverb (home/away)
用法筆記
This sense is informal and often carries a positive or admiring tone. It pairs naturally with directional prepositions like 'through', 'past', 'along', and 'around'.
常見錯誤
3. To make a computer file smaller by applying a data-compression process, allowing
To make a computer file smaller by applying a data-compression process, allowing it to occupy less room on a disk and be transmitted across a network more easily.
Before emailing holiday photos to her family, Nadia zipped the folder to make it smaller.
transitive: zip + [folder]
Diego zipped the video file so that it would fit on a small memory stick.
The office server zips old project files after they have not been opened for ninety days.
Asher downloaded a zipped folder from the company website and then opened it on his laptop.
Tunde showed the new employee how to zip large design files before sharing them with clients.
文法句型
zip + [file/folder]
passive: [file] is zipped
用法筆記
This sense is specific to computing. The opposite action is 'unzip', meaning to restore the compressed file to its original size.