zing, v.

zing
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zing_v%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2021

# zingverb

## Earlier version

- zing, v. in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the verb zing mean?

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

### How common is the verb zing?

About 0.07occurrences per million words in modern written English

1890 | 0.012
1900 | 0.014
1910 | 0.018
1920 | 0.019
1930 | 0.022
1940 | 0.026
1950 | 0.033
1960 | 0.043
1970 | 0.056
1980 | 0.066
1990 | 0.072
2000 | 0.081
2010 | 0.09

### How is the verb zing pronounced?

#### British English

/zɪŋ/
zing

#### U.S. English

/zɪŋ/
zing

### Where does the verb zing come from?

Earliest known use

1890s

The earliest known use of the verb zing is in the 1890s.

OED's earliest evidence for zing is from 1899, in Butte (Montana) Weekly Miner.

It is also recorded as an exclamation from the 1870s.

zing is formed within English, by conversion.

Etymons: zing int.

### Nearby entries

1. zinc yellow, n. 1847–
2. zindabad, int. & n. 1930–
3. zindan, n. 1844–
4. Zindikite, n. 1694–
5. Zindiq, n. 1667–
6. zine, n. 1946–
7. zineb, n. 1950–
8. zines, int.?1701–10
9. zinester, n. 1986–
10. zinfandel, n. 1880–
11. zing, v.1899–
12. zing, int. & n. 1875–
13. zingana, n.¹ 1883
14. zingana, n.² 1911–
15. Zingani, n. 1581–1879
16. Zingara, n. 1756–
17. Zingaro, n. 1600–
18. zingel, n. 1803–
19. zingelin perch, n. 1803
20. zinger, n. 1906–
21. Zingg, n. 1941–

## Etymology

### Summary

Formed within English, by conversion.
< zing int.…
< zing int.

### Notes

With sense 1c compare earlier zinging adj. 2.

## Meaning & use

colloquial (originally U.S.).

1. 1. 1.a.
      1899–
      intransitive. Esp. of a bullet or other object passing rapidly through the air: to make a sharp, high-pitched ringing or twanging sound. Hence: to move or progress rapidly, or with energy, enthusiasm, or liveliness. Frequently with adverb or prepositional phrase expressing direction.
      1. 1899

         > About our ears a bumblebee's nest of Mauser bullets were zinging and zooing.

         Butte (Montana) Weekly Miner 6 April 3/5
      2. 1920

         > Go zinging along on a fast ice-boat.

         S. Lewis, Main Street ii. 18
      3. 1947

         > Cables which zing from London to Washington always refer to the British Foreign Office as Whitehall.

         Washington Post 19 December 3c/1
      4. 1973

         > As pure escapist entertainment..the movie zings right along.

         Playboy May 44/1
      5. 2004

         > At this rate the house was going to end up like Beirut, with sniper fire zinging in all directions.

         J. Mansell, One you really Want xiv. 78
      U.S. English colloquial and slang
      1. thunder c1374–
         In extended use. intransitive. To make a loud, resounding noise like thunder; to roar. Also (frequently with adverb or prepositional phrase…
      2. hurtle 1509–
         To dash, rush, hurry; esp. with noise.
      3. rattle 1555–
         Denoting motion or travel, with adverb or prepositional construction indicating direction. intransitive. To move (usually rapidly) with a…
      4. skirr 1567–
         To move, run, fly, sail, etc., rapidly or with great impetus. Sometimes implying a whirring sound accompanying the movement. Usually const. with…
      5. whizz 1591–
         To move swiftly with or as with such a sound.
      6. brustle 1638
         To go hastily with a rustling noise. Cf. bustle, v.¹ II.2a.
      7. clatter 1810–
         To move rapidly with such a noise, to rattle along, down, over, etc.
      8. whoosh 1856–
         intransitive. To utter or emit a dull soft sibilant sound, like that of something rushing through the air; to move rapidly with a rushing sound.
      9. fizz 1864–
         To move with a fizzing sound.
      10. zoon 1880–
          intransitive. To make a humming, buzzing, or droning sound; to move with, or as if with, such a sound; to move quickly. Also occasionally transitive…
      11. zing 1899–
          intransitive. Esp. of a bullet or other object passing rapidly through the air: to make a sharp, high-pitched ringing or twanging sound. Hence…
      12. skoosh 1904–
          intransitive. To move rapidly, esp. (of a vehicle) with a swishing sound; to depart quickly. Also in imperative (Children's slang): ‘go away!’…
      13. zoom 1924–
          intransitive. To move or travel very quickly, esp. making a continuous humming, buzzing, or droning sound; to make such a sound while moving…
      14. scream 1943–
          Of an inanimate thing: To make a noise like a scream; spec. to travel swiftly with a screaming noise; also hyperbolically and transferred, of a…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. sing 1565–
         Of missiles, etc.: To sound in this way by reason of rapid motion through the air; to move with a singing sound.
      2. ping 1855–
         intransitive. To make a short, resonant, high-pitched (usually metallic) ringing sound; to emit such a sound; (of a bullet) to fly with such a…
      3. pinge 1888
         intransitive. = ping, v.² 1a.
      4. zing 1899–
         intransitive. Esp. of a bullet or other object passing rapidly through the air: to make a sharp, high-pitched ringing or twanging sound. Hence…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. yell Old English–1330
         intransitive. Of an inanimate object: to make a strident, grating, or crashing noise. Obsolete.
      2. pipe c1275–
         intransitive. To utter a shrill, weak sound; to talk or sing weakly or shrilly; to cheep, squeak, chirp or croak. Cf. peep, v.² 1a, pip, v.²
      3. treble c1425–1606
         intransitive. To emit a high-pitched or shrill sound; also, to sing the treble part to (const. upon) the lower parts or plain-song in a harmonized…
      4. squail 1526
         intransitive. To make a shrill noise.
      5. shrill 1579–
         intransitive. Of an inanimate object or thing, esp. a musical instrument: to produce a shrill sound.
      6. squeal 1600–
         Of things: To emit or produce a shrill or strident sound.
      7. skirl 1827–
         Of other inanimate things.
      8. blat 1846–
         intransitive. To bleat, or make similar sounds. Also figurative, to talk noisily or impulsively.
      9. whine 1874–
         intransitive. To utter a low somewhat shrill protracted sound or cry, usually expressive of pain or… transferred of inanimate objects.
      10. whit 1899–
          intransitive. To make a shrill abrupt sound, as a bird's chirp, the whistle of a flying bullet, etc. Cf. whit, int.
      11. zing 1899–
          intransitive. Esp. of a bullet or other object passing rapidly through the air: to make a sharp, high-pitched ringing or twanging sound. Hence…
      12. whee 1960–
          intransitive. To utter a high-pitched sound.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 1.b.
      1907–
      transitive. To cause (something) to move rapidly; esp. to hit or throw (an object) with great speed. Frequently with adverb or prepositional phrase expressing direction.
      1. 1907

         > Bobby Eager, who had his batting eye right with him, zinged the ball over Cates' scalp.

         Los Angeles Herald 11 July 8/1
      2. 1992

         > I kept their attention..by zinging pieces of chalk against the back wall when they fell asleep in class.

         H. N. Schwarzkopf, It doesn't take Hero ix. 137
      3. 2019

         > Andy glimpses the ball coming towards him, whirls, catches it, and zings it back to Heywood.

         M. Dawidziak, Shawshank Redempt. Revealed 151
      U.S. English colloquial and slang
   3. 1.c.
      1966–
      intransitive. To be filled or alive with energy, excitement, etc.; to be vibrant or lively.
      1. 1966

         > Innocent white wool dress with coat in photograph 1 is example of controlled exuberance in fashion designing. Every understated line is zinging with energy.

         Washington Post 23 October f13/1 (caption)
      2. 1989

         > I had been quiet and apparently relaxed when everyone else had been zinging with nervous tension.

         M. Moffatt, Coming of Age in New Jersey i. 11
      3. 2009

         > Carved from wood, and with their colours still zinging, the statues are life-sized and anatomically precise.

         Church Times 4 December 11/3
      4. 2015

         > In its very best moments, the film zings with an Aardman-esque zaniness that feels like pure Wright.

         Daily Telegraph 17 July 27/2
      U.S. English colloquial and slang
      1. zing 1966–
         intransitive. To be filled or alive with energy, excitement, etc.; to be vibrant or lively.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. to be full of beans 1833–
         Literary and proverbial uses:— Slang phrases: not to know beans (U.S.): not to know something, to be not well informed; not to care beans (U.S.), not…
      2. zing 1966–
         intransitive. To be filled or alive with energy, excitement, etc.; to be vibrant or lively.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
2. 2.
   1962–
   transitive. To subject (a person, organization, etc.) to sharp criticism.
   1. 1962

      > Gene Woodling zinged him in a blast of an interview.

      Las Vegas Sun 22 March 23/1
   2. 1974

      > In the eighth, Mitterwald doubled and..the rest of the Cubs zinged him for not hitting a fourth homer.

      Evening Herald (Rock Hill, South Carolina) 18 April 7/4
   3. 2014

      > ‘How stupid they are,’ the pair sang, zinging NBC as a surprised, bemused Leno watched.

      Pretoria News (Nexis) 28 February (E1 edition) 9
   U.S. English colloquial and slang
   1. vile a1300
      To revile.
   2. rebut c1330–1879
      transitive. To rebuke or reproach (a person) violently. Obsolete (Scottish in later use).
   3. revile a1393–
      transitive. To subject to insult or abuse; to talk to or criticize in an abusive, angry, or insulting manner; to rail at. Also figurative.
   4. arunt 1399–1496
      To rail at, revile, scold, rate; or ? to drive away. (If the latter is the sense, cf. Shakespeare's aroint, v.)
   5. stain c1450–1691
      figurative. To vilify in words, abuse. Obsolete.
   6. brawl 1474–1649
      transitive. To chide, scold, revile. Obsolete.
   7. vituper 1484–90
      transitive. To vituperate or revile; to dishonour or disgrace.
   8. rebalk 1501–1600
      transitive. To subject (a person or animal) to insult or abuse; to rail at; to reproach.
   9. rattle 1542–
      transitive. To scold or berate; to rail at. Now rare.
   10. to call (rarely to speak) (all) to naught 1542–
       to call (rarely to speak) (all) to naught: to attack verbally; to denounce with passion. Cf. nought, pron. A.2d. Now rare.
   11. vituperate 1542–
       transitive. To blame, speak ill of, find fault with, in strong or violent language; to assail with abuse; to rate or revile.
   12. bedaub 1570–
       figurative. To bespatter with abuse, to vilify.
   13. beray 1576–
       figurative. To befoul, stain, disfigure; to asperse, to cover with abuse.
   14. bespurt 1579–1641
       transitive. To asperse or befoul with anything spurted or spirted on; also figurative.
   15. wring 1581
       To set upon a person with hostile language. Obsolete.
   16. misuse 1583–1633
       transitive. To speak evil of; to abuse verbally; to deride. Obsolete.
   17. caperclaw 1589
       = clapperclaw, v.
   18. abuse 1592–
       transitive. To speak insultingly or unkindly of or to (a person); to malign, revile, vilify (a person or thing).
   19. rail 1592–
       transitive. To rant at, harangue.
   20. exagitate 1593–1685
       To attack violently (a doctrine, error, fault, etc.); to inveigh against, rail at.
   21. to shoot at c1595–1665
       figurative and in figurative context. to shoot at: to assail with censure or contempt. Obsolete.
   22. belabour 1596–
       figurative. To assail with words.
   23. to scour one's mouth on 1598–
       transferred. To cleanse (the teeth) by chewing some substance. Also, †to scour one's mouth on, to abuse, vilify.
   24. bespurtle 1604–29
       figurative. To asperse with reproach or abuse; to spot or sully with vice.
   25. conviciate 1604–46
       transitive. To revile, reproach, slander, rail at.
   26. scandal a1616–
       a. To spread scandal concerning (a person); to defame. Now archaic and dialect (see Eng. Dial. Dict.). †b. To vituperate, revile. Obsolete.
   27. delitigate 1623–
       intransitive. To utter vehement or abusive language about or towards a person with whom one disagrees or whom one wishes to reprove; to rant, rail ag…
   28. betongue 1639–
       transitive. To assail with the tongue; to flout, rally.
   29. bespatter 1644–
       figurative. To asperse (with abuse, blame, flattery, praise, etc.). Generally in a bad sense even when praise is in question.
   30. rant 1647–
       intransitive. To speak furiously; to storm or rage violently. Frequently with at, against. In later use passing into sense 1e.
   31. palt 1648–1701
       transitive. figurative. To hurl abuse at; to denigrate. Cf. pelt, v.¹ 3b.
   32. opprobriate a1657–
       transitive. To speak abusively or contemptuously of or to; to reproach; to vilify.
   33. pelt 1658–
       transitive. To attack with written or verbal insults; to throw abuse at.
   34. proscind 1659–71
       transitive. To rend, tear; (figurative) to berate, reproach.
   35. inveigh 1670
       transitive. To attack or assail with words. rare.
   36. clapperclaw 1692–
       figurative. To revile, abuse.
   37. blackguard 1767–
       transitive. To treat as a blackguard; to abuse or revile scurrilously.
   38. philippize 1804–60
       intransitive. To deliver a philippic; to fulminate. Also transitive: to deliver a philippic against (a person).
   39. slangwhang?1808–
       transitive and intransitive. Chiefly in political or journalistic contexts: to use highly critical, insulting, or bombastic language against (a…
   40. barge 1811–
       transitive and intransitive. To criticize, scold, or shout abusively at (a person).
   41. drub 1811–
       figurative. To belabour with abuse.
   42. slang 1818–
       transitive. To attack, rebuke, or criticize (a person) with abusive or vulgar language.
   43. foul-mouth 1822–
       transitive. To abuse (a person) verbally; to insult, disparage, or slander (someone).
   44. bullyrag 1823–
       transitive. To assail with abusive language.
   45. target 1837–
       To use (a person) as a target. Also figurative.
   46. to light on —— 1842–
       intransitive. To attack (a person or animal) physically. Also: to launch a verbal attack on (a person).
   47. villainize 1857–
       To treat or revile as a villain.
   48. slam-bang 1888–
       transitive. To assail violently.
   49. vituperize 1894–
       transitive. To vituperate.
   50. bad-mouth 1941–
       transitive. To abuse or deprecate verbally; to criticize, slander, or gossip maliciously about (a person or thing); to disparage, ‘run down’.
   51. slag 1958–
       transitive. colloquial (chiefly British and Irish English). To abuse or denigrate (a person or thing); to criticize or gossip maliciously about (a…
   52. zing 1962–
       transitive. To subject (a person, organization, etc.) to sharp criticism.
   53. to dump on (occasionally all over) 1967–
       intransitive. Chiefly North American. In slang phrase to dump on (occasionally all over) (a person), to criticize or abuse (someone); to better in…
   54. fatmouth 1971–
       transitive. Originally: to talk at length to (a person); esp. to cajole or sweet-talk (now rare). Now usually: to speak ill of (a person); to…
   55. shit talk 1989–
       coarse slang. transitive. To strongly criticize or disparage (a person or thing). Also occasionally intransitive.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
3. 3.
   1975–
   transitive. To deliver (a witticism, question, etc.) in a rapid, forceful, and effective manner. Also with out. Cf. zinger n. 2.
   1. 1975

      > [Nixon] read what they wrote and surprised them later by remembering it and occasionally zinging it back at them.

      W. Safire, Before Fall iii. vi. 179
   2. 1977

      > Her usual practice of zinging brash, hostile questions at world leaders.

      Time 10 January 26/2
   3. 2018

      > Frances and Malcolm make for a memorable double act, with Frances in particular zinging out waspish one-liners.

      Times (National edition) (Nexis) 15 September 17
   U.S. English colloquial and slang
   1. rattle 1402–
      transitive. To say, recount, or recite, in a rapid, lively, effortless, or glib manner. Also (in extended use): to produce (a piece of writing, a…
   2. pour c1451–
      transitive. figurative. To send (words, etc.) forth or out as in a stream; to bestow generously or continuously; to express (feelings) freely and…
   3. to run off 1680–
      transitive. To write or recite rapidly or fluently; to dash or rattle off.
   4. twitter 1689–
      transitive. Of a person: to express or communicate (something) in a rapid, tremulous voice. Also: to sing (something) in a manner likened to that…
   5. gun 1801–
      transitive. Scottish (north-eastern). To say or utter (something) in a rapid or animated manner. Cf. fire, v.¹ II.17a, shoot, v. III.21e. Now rare.
   6. perk 1940–
      transitive. To say or comment in an assertive, lively, or optimistic manner.
   7. zing 1975–
      transitive. To deliver (a witticism, question, etc.) in a rapid, forceful, and effective manner. Also with out. Cf. zinger, n. 2.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/zɪŋ/
zing

### U.S. English

/zɪŋ/
zing

####

##### 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

zing typically occurs about 0.07 times per million words in modern written English.

zing 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 zing, v., 1890–2010

* 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
--- | ---
1890 | 0.012
1900 | 0.014
1910 | 0.018
1920 | 0.019
1930 | 0.022
1940 | 0.026
1950 | 0.033
1960 | 0.043
1970 | 0.056
1980 | 0.066
1990 | 0.072
2000 | 0.081
2010 | 0.09

### Frequency of zing, v., 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 | 0.14
2018 | 0.13
2019 | 0.13
2020 | 0.12
2021 | 0.11
2022 | 0.11
2023 | 0.11
2024 | 0.11

## Phrasal verbs

1. With adverbs in specialized senses.
   1. to zing up
      1. 1.
         1948–
         transitive. To add energy, enthusiasm, or liveliness to (something); to enliven, invigorate. Cf. zing n. B.2.
         1. 1948

            > We were getting all zinged up thinking of the summer and its tent shows, carnivals, etc.

            Emmetsburg (Iowa) Democrat 15 April 2/2
         2. 1970

            > Charles Revson is the philosopher-king of the cosmetic world... He claims to know by instinct how to ‘zing up’ a face.

            New Yorker 14 November 154
         3. 2009

            > A growing demand among couples to buy erotic gifts for each other to zing up their sex lives.

            Times 21 February (Weekend section) 13/2
         U.S. English colloquial and slang
         1. akele Old English–1500
            transitive. To refresh, reinvigorate. Also reflexive. Obsolete.
         2. rest Old English–
            transitive. To give rest or repose to (a person, a part of the body, etc.); to relieve or refresh by rest; to lay to rest. Also intransitive.
         3. ease c1300–1764
            transitive. To refresh (a person) with rest or food; to provide accommodation or hospitality to (a guest); to shelter or stable (an animal). Obsolete.
         4. comfort 1303–1725
            To strengthen (the bodily faculties, organs, etc.); to invigorate, refresh. Obsolete.
         5. quick c1350–
            transitive. To give or restore vigour to; to stir up, inspire; = quicken, v.¹ I.2. Now chiefly poetic.
         6. recure a1382–1647
            transitive. To restore (a person) to health after sickness, suffering, etc.; to cure, heal. Frequently with from, of. Also figurative.
         7. refresh a1382–
            transitive. To impart fresh strength or energy to (a person, the spirits, a part of the body, etc.); to reinvigorate, revive; to provide with…
         8. refete c1384–1525
            transitive. To refect or refresh with food or drink. Also figurative.
         9. restore c1384–
            transitive. To bring (a person or a part of the body) back to a state of health, vigour, or strength; to heal. Also intransitive: to restore…
         10. affile a1393–1518
             transitive. To prepare (oneself) for some activity, goal, etc.
         11. enforce c1400–1775
             To add force to, intensify, strengthen (a feeling, desire, influence); to impart fresh vigour or energy to (an action, movement, attack, etc.). Obs…
         12. fresh c1405–1910
             transitive. To give strength or energy to (a person or thing); to reinvigorate, revive. Also: to increase. Cf. to fresh up 2. Obsolete.
         13. revigour?a1425–1649
             transitive (chiefly in passive). To restore to vigour.
         14. recomfort c1425–
             transitive. Usually of a thing: to strengthen or invigorate physically; to refresh. Also intransitive. Now rare.
         15. recreate c1425–
             transitive. To restore to a good or normal physical condition from a state of weakness or exhaustion; to refresh, reinvigorate (nature, strength, a…
         16. quicken?c1430–
             transitive. To give, add, or restore vigour to (a person); to rouse, motivate, stir up.
         17. revive 1442–
             transitive. To give fresh life or vigour to; to restore from a tired, languid, or depressed state. In early use also with infinitive.
         18. cheer c1443–
             To strengthen or revive physically. transitive. Of food or drink: to refresh or invigorate (a person, the body, etc.). Also with person as…
         19. refection?c1450–1881
             transitive. To refresh, nourish; to provide with a refection.
         20. refect 1488–
             transitive. To refresh (another, oneself), esp. with food or drink; to restore from weariness or fatigue. Now rare (archaic and humorous in later…
         21. unweary 1530–1699
             transitive (and reflexive). To restore from weariness; to refresh or rest.
         22. freshen 1532–
             transitive. To give strength or energy to (a person, a person's mind, spirits, etc., or a part of the body); to reinvigorate, revive.
         23. corroborate 1541–1822
             To strengthen constitutionally, or organically; to invigorate, refresh. Obsolete.
         24. vige?c1550
             transitive. To invigorate.
         25. erect?1555–1734
             figurative from senses II.4, II.5. To rouse, stir up, excite, embolden (the mind, oneself). Obsolete.
         26. recollect?1560–
             transitive. To gather or summon up (strength, courage, etc.); to rally or recover again by an effort. Now rare.
         27. repose 1562–1892
             transitive. To give or afford rest to (a person); to refresh by means of rest. Also figurative. Obsolete.
         28. respite 1565–1857
             transitive. To relieve by an interval of rest; to allow to rest. Obsolete.
         29. rouse 1574–
             transitive. To stir up, incite to action, spur on; to bring to a state of excitement or heightened emotion. Also with up. Without construction.
         30. requicken 1576–
             transitive. To reanimate, revive (a person, the spirits, etc.).
         31. animate 1585–
             transitive. To impart liveliness, vividness, or interest to; to enliven.
         32. enlive 1593–1659
             transitive. To impart natural or spiritual life to, animate (a body, an individual). Also figurative.
         33. revify 1598–1784
             transitive. = revivify, v.
         34. inanimate 1600–70
             To animate, encourage, quicken.
         35. insinew 1600–11
             transitive. To furnish with sinews; to innerve; to inspire with vigour or strength.
         36. to wind up 1602–
             transitive. To excite or work up (a person, emotion, etc.) so as to induce a heightened state, now esp. one of agitation or tension. Frequently in p…
         37. vigorize 1603
             transitive. To invigorate.
         38. inspirit c1610–
             transitive. To put spirit, life, or energy into; to quicken, enliven, animate; to cheer, encourage; to incite, stir (to something, or to do…
         39. invigour 1611–
             transitive. To inspire with vigour; to invigorate.
         40. refocillate 1611–
             transitive. To revive, reanimate, or refresh (a person, the spirits, senses, etc.).
         41. revigorate 1611–
             transitive. To reinvigorate.
         42. renovate 1614–
             transitive. To reinvigorate, refresh. Also intransitive.
         43. spriten 1614
             transitive. To put spirit or life into; to enliven, animate.
         44. repair a1616–25
             transitive. To revive, reinvigorate (a person). Obsolete.
         45. activate 1624–
             transitive. To make (more) active; to move to activity; to initiate (a process). Also: to motivate.
         46. vigour 1636
             transitive. To invigorate; to inspire with vigour.
         47. enliven 1644–
             To give fuller life to; to animate, inspirit, invigorate physically or spiritually; to quicken (feelings), stimulate (trade, etc.).
         48. invigorate 1646–
             transitive. To impart vigour to; to render vigorous; to fill with life and energy; to strengthen, animate.
         49. rally 1650–
             transitive. Originally: to concentrate or summon up (one's faculties, courage, etc.) by an effort of will. Later also: to revive or restore…
         50. reinvigorate 1652–
             transitive. To invigorate again; to give fresh vigour to.
         51. renerve 1652–
             transitive. To give renewed strength or vigour to; (now esp.) to re-embolden with fresh courage or nerve; to steel. Also intransitive.
         52. to freshen up 1654–
             transitive. To give strength or energy to (a person, a person's mind, spirits, etc., or a part of the body); to reinvigorate, revive.
         53. right 1658–
             transitive. With up. Originally: to repair or refurbish. In later use (regional and U.S.) also: to clear or clean, to straighten or fix; (also) to…
         54. re-enliven a1660–
             transitive. To give new life or energy to (something); to reanimate, reinvigorate.
         55. recruit a1661–
             transitive. To regain (one's spirits, health, strength, etc.); to refresh or reinvigorate. Also: to improve or restore the strength or health of…
         56. enlighten 1667
             transitive. To revive, reinvigorate. Cf. brighten, v. 2a. Obsolete. rare.
         57. revivify 1675–
             transitive. To revive or reinvigorate; to restore to a flourishing or vigorous condition.
         58. untire 1677–
             transitive. To free from being tired; to rest.
         59. reanimate 1694–
             transitive. To give fresh vigour or energy to (a thing).
         60. stimulate 1759
             To rouse to action or exertion as by pricking or goading; to spur on; to incite (a person) to do something; to impart additional energy to (an…
         61. rebrace 1764–
             transitive. To brace again.
         62. refreshen 1780–
             transitive. To make fresh again; to refresh.
         63. brisken 1799–
             transitive. To make brisk or lively. Also with up.
         64. irrigate 1823–
             figurative. To refresh or make fruitful as with a supply of moisture.
         65. tonic 1825–
             (transitive) to act as a tonic upon, to invigorate, ‘brace up’; to administer a tonic to.
         66. to fresh up 1835–
             transitive. To give strength or energy to (a person or animal, a person's mind, spirits, etc.); to reinvigorate, revive. Cf. to freshen up 1.
         67. ginger 1844–
             transitive. figurative. To spice up; to enliven, to stimulate; to put mettle or spirit into; to rouse, to coax (into something or to do something)…
         68. spell 1846–
             To relieve by an interval of rest; to rest (esp. a horse). Chiefly Australian.
         69. recuperate 1849–
             transitive. To restore (a person) to health or vigour. Chiefly reflexive or in passive with unexpressed agent.
         70. tone 1859–
             transitive. To impart a tone to (in various senses of the noun); to modify, regulate, or adjust the tone or quality of; to give physical or mental…
         71. innerve 1880–
             = innervate, v.; also figurative to animate.
         72. fiercen 1896–
             transitive. To make fierce. to fiercen up: to brush up, enliven. dialect.
         73. to buck up 1909–
             to buck up. intransitive. To cheer up, be encouraged. Also transitive in causal sense.
         74. pep 1912–
             transitive. With up. To fill or inspire with liveliness or vigour; to restore energy or enthusiasm in (a person); to invigorate, stimulate, cheer…
         75. to zip up 1927–
             transitive. To add liveliness or vigour to (a person or thing); to make more interesting or exciting; to make (food) spicier, tangier, or otherwise…
         76. to perk up 1936–
             to perk up. transitive. To enliven, stimulate; to strengthen, bolster; to restore confidence, health, interest, liveliness, etc., in or to.
         77. to zizz up 1944–
             transitive. To make (something) more lively, exciting, or vibrant; to energize. Cf. zizz, n. B.2, zhuzh, v.
         78. hep 1948–
             transitive. To enliven, pep up (a person or thing). Usually as to hep up.
         79. to zing up 1948–
             transitive. To add energy, enthusiasm, or liveliness to (something); to enliven, invigorate. Cf. zing, n. B.2.
         80. juice 1964–
             To animate, liven up, inspire. slang.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      2. 2.
         1953–
         transitive. To add a zesty, tangy, or piquant flavour to (food). Cf. zing n. B.3.
         1. 1953

            > The paste is made of skinned and boned sardines crushed to a cream and zinged up with pepper and mustard and chopped parsley and a whiff of onion juice.

            Vogue February 237/4
         2. 1978

            > Delicious, spicy pickled-pepper relish..which you can use to zing up the otherwise mild dishes.

            Chicago June 234/3
         3. 2005

            > Serious pastry wrapped around tasty fillings, zinged up with the citrus tang of sumac spice.

            Time Out 7 December 161/2
         food and cooking U.S. English colloquial and slang
         1. savour c1384–
            transitive. To flavour or season; to add savoury flavour to. Also in figurative contexts (cf. savour, n. II.4a).
         2. season c1400–
            transitive. To render (a dish) more palatable by the addition of some savoury ingredient.
         3. condiment c1420–1854
            transitive. To season or flavour with a condiment; to spice.
         4. powder?c1425–
            transitive. To sprinkle (meat, etc.) with salt or powdered spice, esp. for preserving; to salt; to corn or cure. Also intransitive. British regional…
         5. sauce a1438–
            transitive. In early use: to change or enhance the taste of (a dish) by adding a condiment or other ingredient; to season or flavour (food, drink…
         6. point a1450
            transitive. figurative. To make (food) piquant or sharp. Obsolete. rare.
         7. taste a1577–
            To impart a taste or flavour to; to flavour; also figurative. Now rare.
         8. palate 1610–1845
            transitive. To make palatable, to season. Obsolete. rare.
         9. scent 1655–
            transitive. To flavour (tea, tobacco, etc.) with an aromatic ingredient.
         10. condite 1657–79
             To season, flavour.
         11. zest 1705–
             transitive. To add zest to; to add flavour, relish, or piquancy to. Frequently figurative and in figurative contexts.
         12. kitchen 1720–
             transitive. Scottish, Irish English, and English regional (northern). To give added flavour or relish to (a plain or staple food); to serve as…
         13. dress 1795
             transitive. To prepare (food) for cooking or eating; to season or cook (meat, fish, etc.). Now chiefly: to add a sauce to (food, esp. a salad).
         14. flavour 1830–
             To give flavour, taste, or scent to; to season; in first quot. †to make to ‘smell’ warm.
         15. to zing up 1953–
             transitive. To add a zesty, tangy, or piquant flavour to (food). Cf. zing, n. B.3.
         16. zap 1979–
             To make more powerful, exciting, etc.; to enliven, revitalize; to spice or pep up.
         View in Historical Thesaurus

## Compounds & derived words

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1. zinger, n. 1906–
   A pointed or amusing remark, esp. one intended to…

1. zinging, adj. 1915–
   Designating something (esp. a rapidly moving…

1. zinging, n. 1921–
   A sharp, high-pitched ringing, buzzing, or…

zing, v. was revised in March 2021.

zing, v. was last modified in July 2023.