zinghttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zing_int%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezing, int. & n.
Revised 2021

zinginterjection & noun

colloquial.
  1. interjection
    1. 1875–
      Representing a sharp, high-pitched ringing or twanging sound, esp. one made by a rapidly moving object; (hence) representing the sudden appearance or occurrence of something.
      1. 1875
        At evening all the neighbours meet; Only hear the music ring, La, la, la! zing, zing, zing [French zing zing zing]!
        F. Lyster, translation of J. Offenbach, Madame l'Archiduc ii. 23
      2. 1912
        He just took the ball in his hand, looked at it curiously for a moment, and fired it—zing!—like that, over the plate.
        E. Ferber, Buttered Side Down (1941) 70
      3. 1948
        A method of freezing concentrated orange juice was developed, and zing! the first thing they knew they had a new and depression-beating industry on their hands.
        Sun (Baltimore) 3 December 14/2
      4. 1977
        So one day you meet this guy, right? And, zing! He is gorgeous!
        M. French, Women's Room iv. x. 248
      5. 2012
        A merlin flashed overhead—zing!—banked round and came past again, mobbed by a brave pipit.
        Economist 29 September
  2. noun
    1. 1.
      1902–
      A sharp, high-pitched ringing or twanging sound, esp. one made by a rapidly moving object; a ping, a twang.
      1. 1902
        The way he filled the atmosphere with zip, zip, zips, and zing, zing, zings, made some of the old soldiers think of times when the air was full of singing bullets.
        Chicago Live Stock World 27 August 1/6
      2. 1930
        He seized the typewriter by its steel bar and plumped it to the floor with a force that wrung a protesting whine and zing from its startled insides.
        E. Ferber, Cimarron xx. 331
      3. 1961
        There was the confident zing of tennis-rackets in the Parks.
        E. Williams, George xxv. 403
      4. 2003
        When Harry wounds the villain in an empty football stadium, harsh zings across piano strings match the glare of floodlights.
        Film Comment January 16/2
    2. 2.
      1917–
      Energy, enthusiasm, or vibrancy; a stimulating or invigorating quality which adds to the enjoyment or agreeableness of something.
      1. 1917
        They haven't the zip and zing that Winter gives to the Northerners.
        Boston Sunday Globe 21 January 46/2
      2. 1948
        The day had lost its zing but Maudie insisted on staying.
        Truth (Sydney) 28 November 40
      3. 1955
        Lake Haven's air..was full of zing and bounce.
        ‘S. Ransome’, Deadly Bedfellows i. 7
      4. 2003
        Splashes of hot Mexican colours add extra zing to the cool, calm, collected effect—a tomato-red lounger here, a vibrant painting there.
        Living Etc September 32/2
      5. 2011
        Still, the zing of the performances and choreography pull it through.
        Daily Telegraph 19 August 35/7
    3. 3.
      1956–
      A zesty, tangy, or piquant flavour, as that of citrus.
      1. 1956
        Special French dressing... Has the zing you like to add to a tossed salad.
        Better Homes & Gardens February 93/2
      2. 1983
        Freshly-squeezed lemon or lime has a unique impact, adding a zing to almost any combination in flavours.
        Daily Telegraph 21 December 9/2
      3. 2001
        Mint is also used to add a refreshing zing in various street stall drinks, such as tea and jal jeera.
        M. Hughes et al., World Food: India 40
      4. 2014
        It's an unusual [salad] selection with less crunch, but a wonderful peppery zing.
        Scottish Daily Mail 17 May 44/3

zing, int. & n. was revised in March 2021.

zing, int. & n. was last modified in July 2023.