zip [zipzipszippedzipping] noun, verb BrE [zɪp] NAmE [zɪp] noun 1. (alsoˈzip fastener) (both BrE) (alsozip·per NAmE, BrE)countable a thing that you use to fasten clothes, bags, etc. It consists of two rows of metal or plastic teeth that you can pull together to close sth or pull apart to open it •to do up/undo/open/close a zip •My zip's stuck. 2. uncountable (informal)energy or speed 3. singular (informal, especially NAmE)nothing •We won four zip (= 4–0). •He said zip all evening.
Word Origin: mid 19th cent.: imitative.
Example Bank: •The jacket was fastened by a zip at the front. •The zip on my bag has stuck. •a bag with a zip •My zip's stuck. Derived: ↑zip somebody up▪ ↑zip up
verb (-pp-) 1. transitive to fasten clothes, bags, etc. with a ↑zip •~ sth I zipped and buttoned my jacket. •~ sb/yourself into sth The children were safely zipped into their sleeping bags. •She zipped herself into a black evening gown. •~ sth + adj. He zipped his case shut. compare ↑unzip 2. intransitive ~ (up/together) to be fastened with a ↑zip •The sleeping bags can zip together. 3. intransitive, transitive ~ (sth) + adv./prep. (informal)to move very quickly or to make sth move very quickly in the direction mentioned •A sports car zipped past us. 4. transitive ~ sth (computing)to ↑compress a file (= make it smaller) Opp: ↑unzip compare ↑unzip Verb forms:
Word Origin: mid 19th cent.: imitative.
Example Bank: •He zipped up his leather jacket. •She zipped the case shut.
