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zing - 3 dictionary results

zing

  [zing]
Use zing in a Sentence
–noun
1. vitality, animation, or zest.
2. a quality or characteristic that excites the interest, enthusiasm, etc.: a tourist town with lots of zing.
3. a sharp singing or whining noise, as of a bullet passing through the air.
–verb (used without object)
4. to move or proceed with a sharp singing or whining noise: The cars zinged down the highway.
5. to move or proceed with speed or vitality; zip.
–verb (used with object)
6. to cause to move with or as with a sharp, singing or whining noise: The pitcher zinged a slider right over the plate.
7. Slang. to blame or criticize severely: City Hall always gets zinged when crime increases.
Origin:
1910–15; imit.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To zing
zing   (zĭng)   
n.  A brief high-pitched humming or buzzing sound, such as that made by a swiftly passing object or a taut vibrating string.
v.   zinged, zing·ing, zings

v.   intr.
  1. To make a zing.
  2. To move swiftly with or as if with a zing: an arrow zinging toward its target.
  3. Informal To be vivacious or lively: a conversation zinging along.
v.   tr. Informal
  1. To attack verbally; criticize sharply: zing an opponent in a debate.
  2. To strike suddenly.

[Imitative.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

zing  (n.)
1911, "high pitched sound," 1918, of echoic origin. Slang meaning "energy, zest" is attested from 1918. Zinger "cruel quip" first attested 1970.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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