zingverb
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?
| 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
U.S. English
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
- zinc yellow, n.1847–
- zindabad, int. & n.1930–
- zindan, n.1844–
- Zindikite, n.1694–
- Zindiq, n.1667–
- zine, n.1946–
- zineb, n.1950–
- zines, int.?1701–10
- zinester, n.1986–
- zinfandel, n.1880–
- zing, v.1899–
- zing, int. & n.1875–
- zingana, n.¹1883
- zingana, n.²1911–
- Zingani, n.1581–1879
- Zingara, n.1756–
- Zingaro, n.1600–
- zingel, n.1803–
- zingelin perch, n.1803
- zinger, n.1906–
- Zingg, n.1941–
Etymology
Summary
Meaning & use
- 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.
- 1899
About our ears a bumblebee's nest of Mauser bullets were zinging and zooing.
Butte (Montana) Weekly Miner 6 April 3/5 - 1920
Go zinging along on a fast ice-boat.
S. Lewis, Main Street ii. 18 - 1947
Cables which zing from London to Washington always refer to the British Foreign Office as Whitehall.
Washington Post 19 December 3c/1 - 1973
As pure escapist entertainment..the movie zings right along.
Playboy May 44/1 - 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
the world movement rate of motion swiftness swift movement in specific manner [intransitive verbs] move swiftly in specific manner move swiftly with or as with sound- thunderc1374–In extended use. intransitive. To make a loud, resounding noise like thunder; to roar. Also (frequently with adverb or prepositional phrase…
- hurtle1509–To dash, rush, hurry; esp. with noise.
- rattle1555–Denoting motion or travel, with adverb or prepositional construction indicating direction. intransitive. To move (usually rapidly) with a…
- skirr1567–To move, run, fly, sail, etc., rapidly or with great impetus. Sometimes implying a whirring sound accompanying the movement. Usually const. with…
- whizz1591–To move swiftly with or as with such a sound.
- brustle1638To go hastily with a rustling noise. Cf. bustle, v.¹ II.2a.
- clatter1810–To move rapidly with such a noise, to rattle along, down, over, etc.
- whoosh1856–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.
- fizz1864–To move with a fizzing sound.
- zoon1880–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…
- zing1899–intransitive. Esp. of a bullet or other object passing rapidly through the air: to make a sharp, high-pitched ringing or twanging sound. Hence…
- skoosh1904–intransitive. To move rapidly, esp. (of a vehicle) with a swishing sound; to depart quickly. Also in imperative (Children's slang): ‘go away!’…
- zoom1924–intransitive. To move or travel very quickly, esp. making a continuous humming, buzzing, or droning sound; to make such a sound while moving…
- scream1943–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…
the world physical sensation hearing and noise degree, kind, or quality of sound resonance or sonority ringing sound [intransitive verbs] ring ping- sing1565–Of missiles, etc.: To sound in this way by reason of rapid motion through the air; to move with a singing sound.
- ping1855–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…
- pinge1888intransitive. = ping, v.² 1a.
- zing1899–intransitive. Esp. of a bullet or other object passing rapidly through the air: to make a sharp, high-pitched ringing or twanging sound. Hence…
the world physical sensation hearing and noise degree, kind, or quality of sound unpleasant quality shrill quality [intransitive verbs] sound shrill make shrill sound- yellOld English–1330intransitive. Of an inanimate object: to make a strident, grating, or crashing noise. Obsolete.
- pipec1275–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
- treblec1425–1606intransitive. 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…
- squail1526intransitive. To make a shrill noise.
- shrill1579–intransitive. Of an inanimate object or thing, esp. a musical instrument: to produce a shrill sound.
- squeal1600–Of things: To emit or produce a shrill or strident sound.
- skirl1827–Of other inanimate things.
- blat1846–intransitive. To bleat, or make similar sounds. Also figurative, to talk noisily or impulsively.
- whine1874–intransitive. To utter a low somewhat shrill protracted sound or cry, usually expressive of pain or… transferred of inanimate objects.
- whit1899–intransitive. To make a shrill abrupt sound, as a bird's chirp, the whistle of a flying bullet, etc. Cf. whit, int.
- zing1899–intransitive. Esp. of a bullet or other object passing rapidly through the air: to make a sharp, high-pitched ringing or twanging sound. Hence…
- whee1960–intransitive. To utter a high-pitched sound.
- 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.
- 1907
Bobby Eager, who had his batting eye right with him, zinged the ball over Cates' scalp.
Los Angeles Herald 11 July 8/1 - 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 - 2019
Andy glimpses the ball coming towards him, whirls, catches it, and zings it back to Heywood.
M. Dawidziak, Shawshank Redempt. Revealed 151
- 1.c.1966–intransitive. To be filled or alive with energy, excitement, etc.; to be vibrant or lively.
- 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) - 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 - 2009
Carved from wood, and with their colours still zinging, the statues are life-sized and anatomically precise.
Church Times 4 December 11/3 - 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
the world movement bodily movement [intransitive verbs] move the body or a member move energetically- zing1966–intransitive. To be filled or alive with energy, excitement, etc.; to be vibrant or lively.
the world action or operation manner of action vigour or energy [intransitive verbs] act or do vigorously abound with energy- to be full of beans1833–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…
- zing1966–intransitive. To be filled or alive with energy, excitement, etc.; to be vibrant or lively.
- 2.1962–transitive. To subject (a person, organization, etc.) to sharp criticism.
- 1962
Gene Woodling zinged him in a blast of an interview.
Las Vegas Sun 22 March 23/1 - 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 - 2014
‘How stupid they are,’ the pair sang, zinging NBC as a surprised, bemused Leno watched.
Pretoria News (Nexis) 28 February (E1 edition) 9
- vilea1300To revile.
- rebutc1330–1879transitive. To rebuke or reproach (a person) violently. Obsolete (Scottish in later use).
- revilea1393–transitive. To subject to insult or abuse; to talk to or criticize in an abusive, angry, or insulting manner; to rail at. Also figurative.
- arunt1399–1496To rail at, revile, scold, rate; or ? to drive away. (If the latter is the sense, cf. Shakespeare's aroint, v.)
- stainc1450–1691figurative. To vilify in words, abuse. Obsolete.
- brawl1474–1649transitive. To chide, scold, revile. Obsolete.
- vituper1484–90transitive. To vituperate or revile; to dishonour or disgrace.
- rebalk1501–1600transitive. To subject (a person or animal) to insult or abuse; to rail at; to reproach.
- rattle1542–transitive. To scold or berate; to rail at. Now rare.
- to call (rarely to speak) (all) to naught: to attack verbally; to denounce with passion. Cf. nought, pron. A.2d. Now rare.
- vituperate1542–transitive. To blame, speak ill of, find fault with, in strong or violent language; to assail with abuse; to rate or revile.
- bedaub1570–figurative. To bespatter with abuse, to vilify.
- beray1576–figurative. To befoul, stain, disfigure; to asperse, to cover with abuse.
- bespurt1579–1641transitive. To asperse or befoul with anything spurted or spirted on; also figurative.
- wring1581To set upon a person with hostile language. Obsolete.
- misuse1583–1633transitive. To speak evil of; to abuse verbally; to deride. Obsolete.
- caperclaw1589= clapperclaw, v.
- abuse1592–transitive. To speak insultingly or unkindly of or to (a person); to malign, revile, vilify (a person or thing).
- rail1592–transitive. To rant at, harangue.
- exagitate1593–1685To attack violently (a doctrine, error, fault, etc.); to inveigh against, rail at.
- to shoot atc1595–1665figurative and in figurative context. to shoot at: to assail with censure or contempt. Obsolete.
- belabour1596–figurative. To assail with words.
- transferred. To cleanse (the teeth) by chewing some substance. Also, †to scour one's mouth on, to abuse, vilify.
- bespurtle1604–29figurative. To asperse with reproach or abuse; to spot or sully with vice.
- conviciate1604–46transitive. To revile, reproach, slander, rail at.
- scandala1616–a. To spread scandal concerning (a person); to defame. Now archaic and dialect (see Eng. Dial. Dict.). †b. To vituperate, revile. Obsolete.
- delitigate1623–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…
- betongue1639–transitive. To assail with the tongue; to flout, rally.
- bespatter1644–figurative. To asperse (with abuse, blame, flattery, praise, etc.). Generally in a bad sense even when praise is in question.
- rant1647–intransitive. To speak furiously; to storm or rage violently. Frequently with at, against. In later use passing into sense 1e.
- palt1648–1701transitive. figurative. To hurl abuse at; to denigrate. Cf. pelt, v.¹ 3b.
- opprobriatea1657–transitive. To speak abusively or contemptuously of or to; to reproach; to vilify.
- pelt1658–transitive. To attack with written or verbal insults; to throw abuse at.
- proscind1659–71transitive. To rend, tear; (figurative) to berate, reproach.
- inveigh1670transitive. To attack or assail with words. rare.
- clapperclaw1692–figurative. To revile, abuse.
- blackguard1767–transitive. To treat as a blackguard; to abuse or revile scurrilously.
- philippize1804–60intransitive. To deliver a philippic; to fulminate. Also transitive: to deliver a philippic against (a person).
- slangwhang?1808–transitive and intransitive. Chiefly in political or journalistic contexts: to use highly critical, insulting, or bombastic language against (a…
- barge1811–transitive and intransitive. To criticize, scold, or shout abusively at (a person).
- drub1811–figurative. To belabour with abuse.
- slang1818–transitive. To attack, rebuke, or criticize (a person) with abusive or vulgar language.
- foul-mouth1822–transitive. To abuse (a person) verbally; to insult, disparage, or slander (someone).
- bullyrag1823–transitive. To assail with abusive language.
- target1837–To use (a person) as a target. Also figurative.
- to light on ——1842–intransitive. To attack (a person or animal) physically. Also: to launch a verbal attack on (a person).
- villainize1857–To treat or revile as a villain.
- slam-bang1888–transitive. To assail violently.
- vituperize1894–transitive. To vituperate.
- bad-mouth1941–transitive. To abuse or deprecate verbally; to criticize, slander, or gossip maliciously about (a person or thing); to disparage, ‘run down’.
- slag1958–transitive. colloquial (chiefly British and Irish English). To abuse or denigrate (a person or thing); to criticize or gossip maliciously about (a…
- zing1962–transitive. To subject (a person, organization, etc.) to sharp criticism.
- intransitive. Chiefly North American. In slang phrase to dump on (occasionally all over) (a person), to criticize or abuse (someone); to better in…
- fatmouth1971–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…
- shit talk1989–coarse slang. transitive. To strongly criticize or disparage (a person or thing). Also occasionally intransitive.
- 3.1975–transitive. To deliver (a witticism, question, etc.) in a rapid, forceful, and effective manner. Also with out. Cf. zinger n. 2.
- 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 - 1977
Her usual practice of zinging brash, hostile questions at world leaders.
Time 10 January 26/2 - 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
the mind language speech manner of speaking [transitive verbs] say in a particular manner say in a lively manner- rattle1402–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…
- pourc1451–transitive. figurative. To send (words, etc.) forth or out as in a stream; to bestow generously or continuously; to express (feelings) freely and…
- to run off1680–transitive. To write or recite rapidly or fluently; to dash or rattle off.
- twitter1689–transitive. Of a person: to express or communicate (something) in a rapid, tremulous voice. Also: to sing (something) in a manner likened to that…
- gun1801–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.
- perk1940–transitive. To say or comment in an assertive, lively, or optimistic manner.
- zing1975–transitive. To deliver (a witticism, question, etc.) in a rapid, forceful, and effective manner. Also with out. Cf. zinger, n. 2.
Pronunciation
British English
U.S. English
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
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
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 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
- With adverbs in specialized senses.
- to zing up
- 1.1948–transitive. To add energy, enthusiasm, or liveliness to (something); to enliven, invigorate. Cf. zing n. B.2.
- 1948
We were getting all zinged up thinking of the summer and its tent shows, carnivals, etc.
Emmetsburg (Iowa) Democrat 15 April 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 - 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
the world physical sensation sleeping and waking refreshment or invigoration [transitive verbs] refresh or invigorate- akeleOld English–1500transitive. To refresh, reinvigorate. Also reflexive. Obsolete.
- restOld 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.
- easec1300–1764transitive. To refresh (a person) with rest or food; to provide accommodation or hospitality to (a guest); to shelter or stable (an animal). Obsolete.
- comfort1303–1725To strengthen (the bodily faculties, organs, etc.); to invigorate, refresh. Obsolete.
- quickc1350–transitive. To give or restore vigour to; to stir up, inspire; = quicken, v.¹ I.2. Now chiefly poetic.
- recurea1382–1647transitive. To restore (a person) to health after sickness, suffering, etc.; to cure, heal. Frequently with from, of. Also figurative.
- refresha1382–transitive. To impart fresh strength or energy to (a person, the spirits, a part of the body, etc.); to reinvigorate, revive; to provide with…
- refetec1384–1525transitive. To refect or refresh with food or drink. Also figurative.
- restorec1384–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…
- affilea1393–1518transitive. To prepare (oneself) for some activity, goal, etc.
- enforcec1400–1775To add force to, intensify, strengthen (a feeling, desire, influence); to impart fresh vigour or energy to (an action, movement, attack, etc.). Obs…
- freshc1405–1910transitive. To give strength or energy to (a person or thing); to reinvigorate, revive. Also: to increase. Cf. to fresh up 2. Obsolete.
- revigour?a1425–1649transitive (chiefly in passive). To restore to vigour.
- recomfortc1425–transitive. Usually of a thing: to strengthen or invigorate physically; to refresh. Also intransitive. Now rare.
- recreatec1425–transitive. To restore to a good or normal physical condition from a state of weakness or exhaustion; to refresh, reinvigorate (nature, strength, a…
- quicken?c1430–transitive. To give, add, or restore vigour to (a person); to rouse, motivate, stir up.
- revive1442–transitive. To give fresh life or vigour to; to restore from a tired, languid, or depressed state. In early use also with infinitive.
- cheerc1443–To strengthen or revive physically. transitive. Of food or drink: to refresh or invigorate (a person, the body, etc.). Also with person as…
- refection?c1450–1881transitive. To refresh, nourish; to provide with a refection.
- refect1488–transitive. To refresh (another, oneself), esp. with food or drink; to restore from weariness or fatigue. Now rare (archaic and humorous in later…
- unweary1530–1699transitive (and reflexive). To restore from weariness; to refresh or rest.
- freshen1532–transitive. To give strength or energy to (a person, a person's mind, spirits, etc., or a part of the body); to reinvigorate, revive.
- corroborate1541–1822To strengthen constitutionally, or organically; to invigorate, refresh. Obsolete.
- vige?c1550transitive. To invigorate.
- erect?1555–1734figurative from senses II.4, II.5. To rouse, stir up, excite, embolden (the mind, oneself). Obsolete.
- recollect?1560–transitive. To gather or summon up (strength, courage, etc.); to rally or recover again by an effort. Now rare.
- repose1562–1892transitive. To give or afford rest to (a person); to refresh by means of rest. Also figurative. Obsolete.
- respite1565–1857transitive. To relieve by an interval of rest; to allow to rest. Obsolete.
- rouse1574–transitive. To stir up, incite to action, spur on; to bring to a state of excitement or heightened emotion. Also with up. Without construction.
- requicken1576–transitive. To reanimate, revive (a person, the spirits, etc.).
- animate1585–transitive. To impart liveliness, vividness, or interest to; to enliven.
- enlive1593–1659transitive. To impart natural or spiritual life to, animate (a body, an individual). Also figurative.
- revify1598–1784transitive. = revivify, v.
- inanimate1600–70To animate, encourage, quicken.
- insinew1600–11transitive. To furnish with sinews; to innerve; to inspire with vigour or strength.
- to wind up1602–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…
- vigorize1603transitive. To invigorate.
- inspiritc1610–transitive. To put spirit, life, or energy into; to quicken, enliven, animate; to cheer, encourage; to incite, stir (to something, or to do…
- invigour1611–transitive. To inspire with vigour; to invigorate.
- refocillate1611–transitive. To revive, reanimate, or refresh (a person, the spirits, senses, etc.).
- revigorate1611–transitive. To reinvigorate.
- renovate1614–transitive. To reinvigorate, refresh. Also intransitive.
- spriten1614transitive. To put spirit or life into; to enliven, animate.
- repaira1616–25transitive. To revive, reinvigorate (a person). Obsolete.
- activate1624–transitive. To make (more) active; to move to activity; to initiate (a process). Also: to motivate.
- vigour1636transitive. To invigorate; to inspire with vigour.
- enliven1644–To give fuller life to; to animate, inspirit, invigorate physically or spiritually; to quicken (feelings), stimulate (trade, etc.).
- invigorate1646–transitive. To impart vigour to; to render vigorous; to fill with life and energy; to strengthen, animate.
- rally1650–transitive. Originally: to concentrate or summon up (one's faculties, courage, etc.) by an effort of will. Later also: to revive or restore…
- reinvigorate1652–transitive. To invigorate again; to give fresh vigour to.
- renerve1652–transitive. To give renewed strength or vigour to; (now esp.) to re-embolden with fresh courage or nerve; to steel. Also intransitive.
- to freshen up1654–transitive. To give strength or energy to (a person, a person's mind, spirits, etc., or a part of the body); to reinvigorate, revive.
- right1658–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…
- re-enlivena1660–transitive. To give new life or energy to (something); to reanimate, reinvigorate.
- recruita1661–transitive. To regain (one's spirits, health, strength, etc.); to refresh or reinvigorate. Also: to improve or restore the strength or health of…
- enlighten1667transitive. To revive, reinvigorate. Cf. brighten, v. 2a. Obsolete. rare.
- revivify1675–transitive. To revive or reinvigorate; to restore to a flourishing or vigorous condition.
- untire1677–transitive. To free from being tired; to rest.
- reanimate1694–transitive. To give fresh vigour or energy to (a thing).
- stimulate1759To 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…
- rebrace1764–transitive. To brace again.
- refreshen1780–transitive. To make fresh again; to refresh.
- brisken1799–transitive. To make brisk or lively. Also with up.
- irrigate1823–figurative. To refresh or make fruitful as with a supply of moisture.
- tonic1825–(transitive) to act as a tonic upon, to invigorate, ‘brace up’; to administer a tonic to.
- to fresh up1835–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.
- ginger1844–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)…
- spell1846–To relieve by an interval of rest; to rest (esp. a horse). Chiefly Australian.
- recuperate1849–transitive. To restore (a person) to health or vigour. Chiefly reflexive or in passive with unexpressed agent.
- tone1859–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…
- innerve1880–= innervate, v.; also figurative to animate.
- fiercen1896–transitive. To make fierce. to fiercen up: to brush up, enliven. dialect.
- to buck up1909–to buck up. intransitive. To cheer up, be encouraged. Also transitive in causal sense.
- pep1912–transitive. With up. To fill or inspire with liveliness or vigour; to restore energy or enthusiasm in (a person); to invigorate, stimulate, cheer…
- to zip up1927–transitive. To add liveliness or vigour to (a person or thing); to make more interesting or exciting; to make (food) spicier, tangier, or otherwise…
- to perk up1936–to perk up. transitive. To enliven, stimulate; to strengthen, bolster; to restore confidence, health, interest, liveliness, etc., in or to.
- to zizz up1944–transitive. To make (something) more lively, exciting, or vibrant; to energize. Cf. zizz, n. B.2, zhuzh, v.
- hep1948–transitive. To enliven, pep up (a person or thing). Usually as to hep up.
- to zing up1948–transitive. To add energy, enthusiasm, or liveliness to (something); to enliven, invigorate. Cf. zing, n. B.2.
- juice1964–To animate, liven up, inspire. slang.
- 2.1953–transitive. To add a zesty, tangy, or piquant flavour to (food). Cf. zing n. B.3.
- 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 - 1978
Delicious, spicy pickled-pepper relish..which you can use to zing up the otherwise mild dishes.
Chicago June 234/3 - 2005
Serious pastry wrapped around tasty fillings, zinged up with the citrus tang of sumac spice.
Time Out 7 December 161/2
the world food and drink food food manufacture and preparation preparation for table or cooking seasoning [transitive verbs] season- savourc1384–transitive. To flavour or season; to add savoury flavour to. Also in figurative contexts (cf. savour, n. II.4a).
- seasonc1400–transitive. To render (a dish) more palatable by the addition of some savoury ingredient.
- condimentc1420–1854transitive. To season or flavour with a condiment; to spice.
- 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…
- saucea1438–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…
- pointa1450transitive. figurative. To make (food) piquant or sharp. Obsolete. rare.
- tastea1577–To impart a taste or flavour to; to flavour; also figurative. Now rare.
- palate1610–1845transitive. To make palatable, to season. Obsolete. rare.
- scent1655–transitive. To flavour (tea, tobacco, etc.) with an aromatic ingredient.
- condite1657–79To season, flavour.
- zest1705–transitive. To add zest to; to add flavour, relish, or piquancy to. Frequently figurative and in figurative contexts.
- kitchen1720–transitive. Scottish, Irish English, and English regional (northern). To give added flavour or relish to (a plain or staple food); to serve as…
- dress1795transitive. 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).
- flavour1830–To give flavour, taste, or scent to; to season; in first quot. †to make to ‘smell’ warm.
- to zing up1953–transitive. To add a zesty, tangy, or piquant flavour to (food). Cf. zing, n. B.3.
- zap1979–To make more powerful, exciting, etc.; to enliven, revitalize; to spice or pep up.
Compounds & derived words
- zinger, n. 1906–A pointed or amusing remark, esp. one intended to…
- zinging, adj. 1915–Designating something (esp. a rapidly moving…
- zinging, n. 1921–A sharp, high-pitched ringing, buzzing, or…