zingy, adj.

zingy
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zingy_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2021

# zingyadjective

## Earlier version

- zingy, a. in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the adjective zingy mean?

There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective zingy. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

### How common is the adjective zingy?

About 0.01occurrences per million words in modern written English

1940 | 0.0024
1950 | 0.0038
1960 | 0.0052
1970 | 0.0069
1980 | 0.0092
1990 | 0.011
2000 | 0.012
2010 | 0.014

### How is the adjective zingy pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzɪŋi/
ZING-ee

#### U.S. English

/ˈzɪŋi/
ZING-ee

### Where does the adjective zingy come from?

Earliest known use

1930s

The earliest known use of the adjective zingy is in the 1930s.

OED's earliest evidence for zingy is from 1938, in Variety.

zingy is formed within English, by derivation.

Etymons: zing n., ‑y suffix1.

### Nearby entries

1. Zingg, n. 1941–
2. zingho, n. 1743
3. zingiber, n.?1720–
4. zingiberaceous, adj. 1821–
5. zingily, adv. 1951–
6. zinginess, n. 1938–
7. zinging, n. 1921–
8. zinging, adj. 1915–
9. zingingly, adv. 1952–
10. zingo, int. 1906–
11. zingy, adj.1938–
12. Zinjanthropus, n. 1959–
13. zinke, n. 1773–
14. zinnia, n. 1761–
15. zinnober green, n. 1879–
16. zinnwaldite, n. 1850–
17. zino, n. 1982–
18. Zinovievite, adj. & n. 1936–
19. Zinoviev letter, n. 1924–
20. Zion, n. Old English–
21. Zion Curtain, n. 1951–

## Etymology

### Summary

Formed within English, by derivation.
< zing n. + ‑y suffix1.

## Meaning & use

colloquial.

1. 1.
   1938–
   Energetic, exciting, vibrant; (of a remark, joke, etc.) witty, lively, and effective.
   1. 1938
      implied in:

      > It is for distributors, and distributors alone, to bring back the old time zinginess of point-of-sale showmanship. [at zinginess n.]

      Variety 17 August 3/2
   2. 1939

      > There are a score of zingy hit tunes headed by ‘Good Morning’, ‘Where or When’, ‘Babes in Arms’ and other hits.

      Evening Herald (Provo, Utah) 24 December 4/1
   3. 1962

      > A zingy collection..that every with-it girl is going to adore.

      Guardian 7 February 9/1
   4. 1976

      > Some zingy, down-to-earth comments... She doesn't mince words.

      Publishers Weekly 16 August 116/1
   5. 2006

      > The zingy feeling of euphoria when you fall in love with a new person.

      New Scientist 8 July 46/1
   6. 2020

      > Her state-of-the-nation novel crackles with zingy one-liners and shrewd humour.

      MailOnline (Nexis) 27 February
   colloquial and slang
   1. lively Old English–
      Vigorous, energetic, active, brisk. Of a person, a person's physical or mental faculties, or an activity sustained by a person. Also of an animal.
   2. sprind Old English–1350
      Vigorous, strong.
   3. kask c1300
      Active, vigorous.
   4. wight c1300–
      Strong, vigorous, robust, stalwart, mighty; exercising strength, energetic (passing into A.3).
   5. courageous c1386–1577
      Full of virile force; lively, lusty, vigorous.
   6. wieldy a1413–1916
      Capable of moving with ease; physically able (to do something); vigorous, active; agile, nimble. Obsolete.
   7. able c1440–
      Now Scottish, Irish English (northern), and Newfoundland. Of a person, the body, etc.: having general physical strength; vigorous, powerful…
   8. wighty c1475–
      = wight, adj.
   9. tall of hand 1530–1632
      Phrase tall of (his, her) hand(s): sometimes, (cf. sense A.I.1) Ready, active, deft, skilful with (his, her) hands; dexterous, handy; sometimes, (cf…
   10. sappy 1558–
       figurative in various applications. Full of vitality.
   11. energical 1565–1883
       Relating to, characterized by, or full of energy (in various senses); esp. operative; efficacious. Cf. energic, adj.
   12. energetical 1585–
       Characterized by or full of energy, force, or vitality; energetic; emphatic; vigorous; lively. Now rare.
   13. greeny a1586–
       Green; verdant. Also figurative: vigorous. Now rare.
   14. stout 1600–1711
       Strenuous, energetic. Obsolete.
   15. strenuous 1602–
       Of persons or their dispositions: Vigorous in action, energetic; ‘brave, bold, active, valiant’ (Johnson). Now usually with stronger notion…
   16. forceful?1624–
       Full of force, powerful, strong, vigorous.
   17. actuous 1626–1869
       = actuose, adj.
   18. vigorous 1638–
       Of persons, etc.: Acting, or prepared to act, with vigour.
   19. vivid 1638–
       Full of life; vigorous, active, or energetic on this account; lively or brisk. Of persons (or animals), their attributes, etc.
   20. high-spirited 1653–
       Exhibiting or characterized by courage and spirit, or (later) liveliness and cheerful good humour.
   21. hearty 1665–
       Of a physical action: vigorous; performed with great energy.
   22. actuose 1677–
       Full of activity, abounding in action; active.
   23. living 1699–
       Full of life or vigour; fresh, vivid; lively, vibrant. Cf. lively, adj. A.3, A.5, A.6.
   24. full-blooded 1707–
       Originally: having or containing much blood. Later also: (of a person) having the qualities associated with a constitution rich in blood (cf. plet…
   25. executive 1708–1825
       Active in execution, energetic. Obsolete. rare.
   26. rugged 1731–
       Chiefly U.S. Of a person: strong, sturdy; robust, vigorous.
   27. sousing 1735–
       Strong, vigorous, ‘powerful’. Now dialect.
   28. energic 1740–
       Of movement, activity, etc.: characterized by or carried out with vigour or force; emphatic. Also of a person, group, etc.: full of energy…
   29. bouncing 1743
       That bounces: in various senses of the verb relating alike to loudness, brag, and vigorous or ungainly movement. Often also (like ‘thumping…
   30. two-fisted 1774–
       a. (dialect or colloquial), awkward with the hands, clumsy; b. U.S. colloquial, tough, aggressive; vigorous; c. Tennis of a backhand stroke: played…
   31. energetic 1782–
       Of a person, group, etc.: full of energy or vitality; strenuously active; vigorous; (also) dynamic; spirited; lively.
   32. zestful 1797–
       figurative. Full of zest; invigorating, stimulating, enjoyable; lively, spirited; = zesty, adj. 2. Cf. zest, n.¹ 3, 4.
   33. rollicking 1801–
       Of an action, behaviour, song, etc.: characterized by vivaciousness or boisterousness.
   34. through-ganging 1814–1923
       Active, energetic, spirited. Cf. throughgoing, adj. 2a.
   35. throughgoing 1814–
       Chiefly Scottish, Irish English (northern), and U.S. regional. Of a person: that gets through work quickly or thoroughly; active, energetic…
   36. slashing 1828–
       Spirited; dashing; full of vigour. Now used esp. of horses.
   37. high-powered 1829–
       Of a machine or device: having greater than normal strength or capabilities; very powerful. Also in extended use: of high quality.
   38. high pressure 1834–
       Involving or characterized by a high degree of exertion, urgency, or coercion; spec. (with regard to selling) employing or involving highly…
   39. rip-roaring 1834–
       Full of energy and vigour; boisterous, wildly noisy; first-rate, exciting.
   40. red-blooded 1836–
       Vigorous, virile, full of energy and strength; (now) esp. (of a man) having strong heterosexual appetites.
   41. ripsnorting 1846–
       = rip-roaring, adj.
   42. zesty 1853–
       figurative. Characterized by energy or vigour; lively, spirited; invigorating, stimulating. Cf. zest, n.¹ 3.
   43. dynamic 1856–
       transferred and figurative. Active, potent, energetic, effective, forceful.
   44. throbbing 1864–
       figurative. That pulsates with energy, life, etc.; thrilling, exciting; vibrant, lively.
   45. kinky 1872–
       U.S. regional (New England). Esp. of a person or animal: energetic, lively, spirited; (in negative sense) difficult to manage, frisky. Now rare.
   46. goey 1875–
       Full of ‘go’; energetic, lively, vigorous; dynamic, enterprising.
   47. torpedoic 1893–
       Of a torpedo, like that of a torpedo.
   48. zippy 1903–
       Full of ‘zip’ (zip, n.¹ B.1b); bright, lively, energetic; fresh, invigorating.
   49. go-at-it 1904–
       Full of energy, vitality, or determination.
   50. punchy 1907–
       Full of punch or impact; forceful, effective; vigorous.
   51. up-and-at-'em 1909–
   52. driving 1916–
       With reference to music: energetic, dynamic, forceful.
   53. vibrant a1929–
       Without const. Full of vitality, teeming, vigorous; exuberant, flourishing.
   54. kinetic 1931–
       transferred and figurative, esp. active, dynamic, full of energy.
   55. zinging 1931–
       That abounds with energy or excitement; vibrant, lively.
   56. high-octane 1936–
       figurative. Vigorous, energetic; powerful; very intense. Cf. octane, n. 3.
   57. zingy 1938–
       Energetic, exciting, vibrant; (of a remark, joke, etc.) witty, lively, and effective.
   58. slam-bang 1939–
       In weakened use: exciting, impressive, first-rate. Also, vigorous, energetic. colloquial.
   59. balls-to-the-wall 1967–
       Unrestrained, aggressive, forceful; all-out, ‘full-throttle’. Cf. balls-out, adv. & adj.
   60. balls-out 1968–
       Unrestrained, uninhibited; aggressive, extremely forceful, all-out.
   61. ass-kicking 1977–
       Forceful, aggressive.
   62. hi-octane 1977–
       = high-octane, adj. A.2.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
2. 2.
   1942–
   Of food or drink: having a zesty, tangy, or piquant flavour. Also: designating such a flavour.
   1. 1942

      > Stir up excitement with these Deviled Ham Turnovers. They're zingy.

      Ladies' Home Journal July 83/4
   2. 1975

      > A zingy Moselle, from a world famous estate.

      Observer 9 November 22/6
   3. 1999

      > A zingy, Thai-style noodle salad.

      BBC Vegetarian Good Food May 49/1
   4. 2014

      > Arinto is a higher-acidity grape..that delivers a zingy lemon note.

      Wine Spectator 31 July 26/2
   colloquial and slang

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzɪŋi/
ZING-ee

### U.S. English

/ˈzɪŋi/
ZING-ee

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

## Frequency

zingy typically occurs about 0.01 times per million words in modern written English.

zingy is in frequency band 3, which contains words occurring between 0.01 and 0.1 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zingy, adj., 1940–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1940 | 0.0024
1950 | 0.0038
1960 | 0.0052
1970 | 0.0069
1980 | 0.0092
1990 | 0.011
2000 | 0.012
2010 | 0.014

### Frequency of zingy, adj., 2017–2024

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the corpus.

Period | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
2017 | 0.11
2018 | 0.1
2019 | 0.1
2020 | 0.11
2021 | 0.11
2022 | 0.12
2023 | 0.13
2024 | 0.14

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zinginess, n. 1938–
   The quality of being zingy; energy, liveliness…

1. zingily, adv. 1951–
   In a zingy manner; invigoratingly, energetically…

zingy, adj. was revised in March 2021.

zingy, adj. was last modified in July 2023.