zing, int. & n.

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

# zinginterjection & noun

## Earlier version

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

## Factsheet

### What does the word zing mean?

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

### How common is the word zing?

About 0.09occurrences per million words in modern written English

1870 | 0.0022
1880 | 0.0083
1890 | 0.013
1900 | 0.019
1910 | 0.026
1920 | 0.038
1930 | 0.044
1940 | 0.049
1950 | 0.058
1960 | 0.068
1970 | 0.074
1980 | 0.085
1990 | 0.096
2000 | 0.1
2010 | 0.11

### How is the word zing pronounced?

#### British English

/zɪŋ/
zing

#### U.S. English

/zɪŋ/
zing

### Where does the word zing come from?

Earliest known use

1870s

The earliest known use of the word zing is in the 1870s.

OED's earliest evidence for zing is from 1875, in a translation by F. Lyster.

zing is an imitative or expressive formation.

### Nearby entries

1. zindabad, int. & n. 1930–
2. zindan, n. 1844–
3. Zindikite, n. 1694–
4. Zindiq, n. 1667–
5. zine, n. 1946–
6. zineb, n. 1950–
7. zines, int.?1701–10
8. zinester, n. 1986–
9. zinfandel, n. 1880–
10. zing, v. 1899–
11. zing, int. & n.1875–
12. zingana, n.¹ 1883
13. zingana, n.² 1911–
14. Zingani, n. 1581–1879
15. Zingara, n. 1756–
16. Zingaro, n. 1600–
17. zingel, n. 1803–
18. zingelin perch, n. 1803
19. zinger, n. 1906–
20. Zingg, n. 1941–
21. zingho, n. 1743

## Etymology

### Summary

An imitative or expressive formation.
Imitative…
Imitative.

### Notes

Compare earlier ding int., ting int., jing n.1, ping int., and ring n.2, and compare also Z n. I.4a.

## Meaning & use

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
      colloquial and slang
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
      colloquial and slang
      1. ding 1837–
         A metallic ringing sound, such as that of a bell, or a sound resembling or imitating this (now frequently one reproduced on an electronic device…
      2. pinging 1854–
         The production or occurrence of a ping or pings; the sound itself.
      3. zing 1902–
         A sharp, high-pitched ringing or twanging sound, esp. one made by a rapidly moving object; a ping, a twang.
      4. whing 1912–
         A word expressing a high-pitched ringing sound.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   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
      colloquial and slang
      1. jolliness c1386–
         The state or quality of being jolly, in the various senses of the adjective; jollity.
      2. livelihead c1425–
         Liveliness; vivacity; = livelihood, n.² Now archaic and rare.
      3. quickness c1425–
         Animation; liveliness, briskness, vigour; freshness. Now rare except as merged with 2 and 3.
      4. vyfnes 1475
         Liveliness, vivacity.
      5. ramage c1485–1618
         Wildness, spirit; courage; fierceness.
      6. courage a1498–1705
         Spirit, liveliness, lustiness, vigour, vital force or energy; also figurative. Obsolete.
      7. liveliness 1534–
         Activity; vigour.
      8. sprite c1540–
         As a mass noun: strength of character or purpose; courage, boldness, assertiveness. Cf. spirit, n. I.ii.6. Now rare (chiefly Scottish, archaic, or p…
      9. livelihood 1566–
         = liveliness, n. (in various senses). Common in the 17th cent. In later use poetic and archaic.
      10. life 1583–
          A sense of vitality or energy conveyed in action, thought, or expression; liveliness in feeling, manner, or aspect; animation, vivacity, spirit…
      11. sprightliness 1599–
          The state, quality, or fact of being sprightly; vigour; liveliness, animation; vivacity. Also (occasionally) as a count noun: an example of this; a…
      12. sprightfulness 1602–
      13. ruach 1606–
          The spirit of God; the spirit of the living being, life force. Now also in weakened sense: vitality, liveliness. Cf. pneuma, n. 2.
      14. sprightiness 1607–10
          Liveliness, vigour. Cf. sprightliness, n.
      15. sparkle 1611–
          Brightness or liveliness of spirit; smartness; wittiness.
      16. airiness 1628–
          Liveliness of personal manner; cheerfulness, levity, frivolity.
      17. vivacy 1637–1719
          = vivacity, n.
      18. spiritfulness 1644–
          The character or quality of being spirited, lively, bold, or vigorous; cf. spiritful, adj. 1.
      19. spirit 1651–
          The quality of being lively or animated; vivacity. Of a person, or his or her actions, speech, etc. Cf. sense I.ii.7b.
      20. vivacity 1652–
          Vigorous or energetic action; activity, energy, vigour; spirit. Now rare.
      21. spiritedness 1654–
          The character or quality of being spirited, lively, or determined; liveliness, vivacity.
      22. brightness 1660–
          The quality of being cheerful, alert, or lively; vivacity, animation.
      23. sprightness 1660–
          Vigour, liveliness, animation; an instance of this; = sprightliness, n.
      24. ramageness 1686
          Boldness, courage, spirit; unruliness; (of a hawk) wildness.
      25. race 1690–1875
          figurative. A characteristic style or manner of speech, writing, etc.; liveliness, piquancy. Cf. raciness, n. 2a, racy, adj.¹ 3c. Obsolete.
      26. friskiness 1727–
          The quality or state of being frisky.
      27. spirituousness 1727–1896
          The state or quality of being lively, animated, or energetic; vitality. Cf. spirituosity, n. 2. Obsolete.
      28. vivaciousness 1727–
          Vivacity of manner or speech; liveliness, sprightliness.
      29. brio 1731–
          Liveliness, vivacity, ‘go’.
      30. raciness 1759–
          With reference to speech, writing, manner, etc.: vigour, liveliness, robustness; lack of inhibition, suggestive or slightly indecent content or…
      31. phlogiston 1789–
          figurative. Fiery or combustible quality. Now rare.
      32. animation 1791–
          Liveliness of aspect or manner; vivacity, sprightliness, brightness.
      33. lifefulness 1829–
      34. pepper-and-salt 1842–
          With reference to the pungency or biting quality of pepper: intensity (of feeling), spirit, vigour; ‘spice’. Cf. pepper, n. II.4b.
      35. corkiness 1845–
          State or quality of being ‘corky’, in different senses.
      36. aliveness 1853–
          The fact or quality of being alive; energy, animation, vigour.
      37. tricksiness 1853–
          Playfulness, sprightliness; mischievousness.
      38. vitality 1858–
          figurative. Active force or power; mental or physical vigour; activity, animation, liveliness.
      39. music 1859–
          U.S. colloquial. Originally: liveliness; excitement; fun, sport; (also) sense of the ridiculous (now rare). Later: trouble, disturbance. Cf. musical…
      40. virtu 1876–
          Chiefly with reference to the writings of Niccolò Machiavelli: the strength of character necessary for political or military success; forceful…
      41. liveness 1890–
          The quality or condition of being alive (in various senses). Also: liveliness.
      42. zippiness 1907–
          The quality of being zippy (in various senses); speed, liveliness, zest, etc.
      43. bounce 1909–
          figurative. Energy, vitality; spirit, exuberance, verve.
      44. zing 1917–
          Energy, enthusiasm, or vibrancy; a stimulating or invigorating quality which adds to the enjoyment or agreeableness of something.
      45. radioactivity 1922–
          figurative. A quality or state characterized by the communication of intense energy; (also) intense energy communicated by someone or something.
      46. oomph 1937–
          The quality of being exciting, energetic, or sexually attractive; energy, vigour.
      47. pizzazz 1937–
          An attractive combination of vitality and glamour; sparkle, effervescence; (also) flashiness, showiness.
      48. zinginess 1938–
          The quality of being zingy; energy, liveliness; zest, piquancy.
      49. hep 1946–
          Liveliness, pep, energy. Cf. hep, v. 2, hepped, adj. 2a.
      50. vavoom 1962–
          Vigour, sex-appeal; oomph.
      51. welly 1977–
          slang. Force, power; frequently in to give it some welly and variants.
      52. masala 1986–
          figurative. Indian English. Piquancy, pep, vigour, excitement.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   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
      colloquial and slang
      1. smack 1573–1600
         Pleasant or agreeable taste or relish. Obsolete.
      2. relish 1599–
         Appetizing or pleasing flavour or quality; an instance of this. Frequently in negative constructions. Now rare.
      3. gust 1649–
         Pleasing taste or gratifying flavour; relish (as of something eaten or drunk).
      4. hogo 1653–1702
         A strong or piquant flavour; a pleasant taste; = haut-goût, n. 1. Obsolete.
      5. zest 1704–
         Something which adds flavour or piquancy to a meal, esp. as an accompaniment. In later use also: a piquant or pleasantly sharp flavour; piquancy…
      6. zing 1956–
         A zesty, tangy, or piquant flavour, as that of citrus.
      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 0.09 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, int. & n., 1870–2010

* 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
--- | ---
1870 | 0.0022
1880 | 0.0083
1890 | 0.013
1900 | 0.019
1910 | 0.026
1920 | 0.038
1930 | 0.044
1940 | 0.049
1950 | 0.058
1960 | 0.068
1970 | 0.074
1980 | 0.085
1990 | 0.096
2000 | 0.1
2010 | 0.11

### Frequency of zing, int. & n., 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 | 0.17
2018 | 0.17
2019 | 0.17
2020 | 0.17
2021 | 0.17
2022 | 0.18
2023 | 0.18
2024 | 0.19

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zing, v. 1899–
   intransitive. Esp. of a bullet or other object…

1. zingo, int. 1906–
   Representing the sudden appearance or occurrence…

1. zingy, adj. 1938–
   Energetic, exciting, vibrant; (of a remark, joke…

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

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