zippyadjective
Factsheet
What does the adjective zippy mean?
There are three meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective zippy. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
How common is the adjective zippy?
| 1900 | 0.0034 |
| 1910 | 0.0043 |
| 1920 | 0.0049 |
| 1930 | 0.0055 |
| 1940 | 0.0078 |
| 1950 | 0.012 |
| 1960 | 0.017 |
| 1970 | 0.022 |
| 1980 | 0.028 |
| 1990 | 0.031 |
| 2000 | 0.035 |
| 2010 | 0.04 |
How is the adjective zippy pronounced?
British English
U.S. English
Where does the adjective zippy come from?
Earliest known use
1880s
The earliest known use of the adjective zippy is in the 1880s.
OED's earliest evidence for zippy is from 1889, in the Boston Globe.
zippy is formed within English, by derivation.
Etymons: zip n.1, ‑y suffix1.
Nearby entries
- zipper foot, n.1938–
- zipperhead, n.1967–
- zipper problem, n.1985–
- Zippie, n.¹1968–
- zippie, n.²1986–
- zippily, adv.1924–
- zippiness, n.1907–
- zipping, n.1868–
- Zippo, n.¹1944–
- zippo, n.²1973–
- zippy, adj.1889–
- zip tie, n.1969–
- zip-tie, v.1985–
- zip top, n.1926–
- zip-up, adj. & n.1927–
- zip wire, n.1971–
- zir, pron.1993–
- zir, adj.1993–
- ziraleet, n.1794–
- ziram, n.1950–
- zirbal, adj.?a1425–
Etymology
Summary
Meaning & use
- 1.1889–Characterized by rapid movement; fast, speedy. Cf. zip v.1 1a.
- 1889
The zippy going-off of the ricotchetty and riproarious ripper [i.e. a firecracker] delighteth not their hearts.
Boston Sunday Globe 23 June 16/2 - 1971
The engine warms up rapidly and provides zippy acceleration.
Daily Telegraph 23 June 11/6 - 1990
He drives extremely fast in tiny violent bursts between traffic lights and snarl-ups, as if he can't bear to let his zippy car idle at a tame and tedious thirty.
W. Perriam, Fifty-minute Hour (1991) xx. 238 - 2012
The morning walks..quickly moved up into longer stretches and zippy speeds that wore out both of us!
Winnipeg Free Press 25 May a3
- swiftOld English–‘Moving far in a short time’ (Johnson); moving, or capable of moving, with great speed or velocity; going quickly or at a great rate; rapid, fleet.
- quickc1300–Moving, or able to move, with speed; swift; doing something swiftly or in a short time.
- hastivea1325–1450Speedy, swift; urgent. Cf. hasty, adj. A.1.
- hastyc1330–Speedy, quick; swift in motion or action; (also) sudden. Now archaic and rare, except as passing into A.1b.
- ingnel1340Quick, swift.
- swiftyc1380–Swift.
- speedfula1387–Speedy, quick, swift, rapid. Now rare.
- currenta1393–1837With reference to physical movement, esp. of water or another flowing substance: running, flowing. Obsolete.
- fasta1400–Of action, movement, or progress: †vigorous, forceful (obsolete). Hence: (of pace, activity, etc.) quick, rapid, swift. Cf. fast, adv. A.I.5c and…
- swippingc1420–50a. n. Striking; b. adj. moving quickly.
- speedy1487–Moving, or able to move, with speed; going or travelling quickly; swift.
- fleet1528–Characterized by power of swift onward movement; swift, nimble. Said primarily of living beings, their limbs and movements; hence of things viewed…
- tite?a1540–1600Quick, swift; (also) eager, willing, ready. Obsolete.
- scudding1545–That scuds, in senses of the verb.
- flighty1552–Swift, quick, fleet. rare.
- suddenly1556Used as adj. Quick, rapid. Obsolete. rare.
- flight1581–1642Swift, fleet, fast-moving.
- feathered1587–That is, or seems to be, supplied with wings; winged, fleet.
- Pegasean1590–Of, relating to, or characteristic of Pegasus. Also: resembling Pegasus, esp. in his capacity for winged flight; (hence) poetically inspired or…
- wing-footed1591–Having winged feet, swiftly-moving; also figurative.
- swift-winged?1592–Having swift wings, flying swiftly, rapid in flight (literal and figurative).
- That flies as swift as thought.
- swallow-winged1597–a. Swift as the swallow; b. shaped like a swallow's wings; also (of a ship), having sails of such a shape.
- lark-footed1607Swift, light-footed.
- Pegasarian1607= Pegasean, adj.
- skelping1607–That skelps, in various senses; also, big, large, lusty.
- rapid1608–Moving, or capable of moving, with speed; swift, fast.
- night-swifta1616–
- celerious1632Swift, fleet.
- clipping1635–That clips, or cuts with shears; that flies or moves fast.
- volatile1655–Characterized by rapid passage. rare.
- pernicious1658–1835Rapid, swift, nimble.
- quick-foot1658Swift, quick-footed. Obsolete.
- meteorous1667–1882Of the nature of or resembling a meteor (in various senses); of or relating to atmospheric or meteorological phenomena; meteoric.
- windy1697Resembling or reminiscent of the wind, esp. in sound, swiftness, or (in early use) fickleness or changeability.
- high-flying1710Swift, fast. Cf. high-flyer, n. II.6. Obsolete.
- fleet-footed1726–Fleet of foot, swift in movement; also figurative.
- aliped1727–Having winged feet; (hence) swift, nimble.
- wickc1760–= quick, adj.
- velocious1775–Rapid.
- flight-performing1785–
- fast-going1800–That moves, travels, or works at a fast speed; fast-moving.
- fast-moving1802–That moves or goes quickly; travelling at a fast speed.
- meteor1803–Of short duration, passing rapidly, transient. rare.
- wight-wapping1830–Moving rapidly, or characterized by such movement.
- fleety1841–= fleet, adj.¹ 1.
- speeding1847–Moving with speed.
- swiftening1848–
- two-forty1855–An expression for a high speed (originally spec. at the rate of a mile in 2 min. 40 sec., formerly a ‘record’ pace for trotting).
- fire-swift1865–
- pennate1870Winged. In quot. figurative: very swift. Obsolete. rare.
- spinning1882–colloquial. Rapid, fast.
- percursory1884humorous. Running or moving quickly.
- zippy1889–Characterized by rapid movement; fast, speedy. Cf. zip, v.¹ 1a.
- meteoric1895–figurative. Flashing or dazzling like a meteor, transiently or irregularly brilliant; rapid, swift; appearing suddenly.
- wind-splitting1900–Formed with a sharp edge; streamlined. Also: swift.
- pacy1906–Originally British colloquial. Having much pace or speed; fast-moving; progressing quickly. Frequently in extended use (esp. applied to drama…
- presto1952–Music. Played in a fast tempo; quick. Also in extended use.
- 2.1903–Full of ‘zip’ (zip n.1 B.1b); bright, lively, energetic; fresh, invigorating.
- 1903
As for Vivian, our bright-eyed little Daughter, she is the zippiest little High-Flyer that speeds the Boulevard.
G. Ade in Evening Gazette (Burlington, Iowa) 2 May 10/5 - 1917
It bubbles o'er with song and jest, Its fun is keen and ‘zippy’.
National Police Gazette (U.S.) 25 August 2/4 - 1923
I'm going to write..something zippy to brighten the thing up a bit.
P. G. Wodehouse, Inimit. Jeeves xv. 195 - 1953
The March evening was zippy outside but cupped in it the breath of spring.
American Mercury January 67/2 - 2005
My cell phone's zippy disco ring tone startled me so badly I almost fell off the chair.
J. Weiner, Goodnight Nobody xxix. 247
- livelyOld English–Vigorous, energetic, active, brisk. Of a person, a person's physical or mental faculties, or an activity sustained by a person. Also of an animal.
- sprindOld English–1350Vigorous, strong.
- kaskc1300Active, vigorous.
- wightc1300–Strong, vigorous, robust, stalwart, mighty; exercising strength, energetic (passing into A.3).
- courageousc1386–1577Full of virile force; lively, lusty, vigorous.
- wieldya1413–1916Capable of moving with ease; physically able (to do something); vigorous, active; agile, nimble. Obsolete.
- ablec1440–Now Scottish, Irish English (northern), and Newfoundland. Of a person, the body, etc.: having general physical strength; vigorous, powerful…
- wightyc1475–= wight, adj.
- tall of hand1530–1632Phrase tall of (his, her) hand(s): sometimes, (cf. sense A.I.1) Ready, active, deft, skilful with (his, her) hands; dexterous, handy; sometimes, (cf…
- sappy1558–figurative in various applications. Full of vitality.
- energical1565–1883Relating to, characterized by, or full of energy (in various senses); esp. operative; efficacious. Cf. energic, adj.
- energetical1585–Characterized by or full of energy, force, or vitality; energetic; emphatic; vigorous; lively. Now rare.
- greenya1586–Green; verdant. Also figurative: vigorous. Now rare.
- stout1600–1711Strenuous, energetic. Obsolete.
- strenuous1602–Of persons or their dispositions: Vigorous in action, energetic; ‘brave, bold, active, valiant’ (Johnson). Now usually with stronger notion…
- forceful?1624–Full of force, powerful, strong, vigorous.
- actuous1626–1869= actuose, adj.
- vigorous1638–Of persons, etc.: Acting, or prepared to act, with vigour.
- vivid1638–Full of life; vigorous, active, or energetic on this account; lively or brisk. Of persons (or animals), their attributes, etc.
- high-spirited1653–Exhibiting or characterized by courage and spirit, or (later) liveliness and cheerful good humour.
- hearty1665–Of a physical action: vigorous; performed with great energy.
- actuose1677–Full of activity, abounding in action; active.
- living1699–Full of life or vigour; fresh, vivid; lively, vibrant. Cf. lively, adj. A.3, A.5, A.6.
- full-blooded1707–Originally: having or containing much blood. Later also: (of a person) having the qualities associated with a constitution rich in blood (cf. plet…
- executive1708–1825Active in execution, energetic. Obsolete. rare.
- rugged1731–Chiefly U.S. Of a person: strong, sturdy; robust, vigorous.
- sousing1735–Strong, vigorous, ‘powerful’. Now dialect.
- energic1740–Of movement, activity, etc.: characterized by or carried out with vigour or force; emphatic. Also of a person, group, etc.: full of energy…
- bouncing1743That bounces: in various senses of the verb relating alike to loudness, brag, and vigorous or ungainly movement. Often also (like ‘thumping…
- two-fisted1774–a. (dialect or colloquial), awkward with the hands, clumsy; b. U.S. colloquial, tough, aggressive; vigorous; c. Tennis of a backhand stroke: played…
- energetic1782–Of a person, group, etc.: full of energy or vitality; strenuously active; vigorous; (also) dynamic; spirited; lively.
- zestful1797–figurative. Full of zest; invigorating, stimulating, enjoyable; lively, spirited; = zesty, adj. 2. Cf. zest, n.¹ 3, 4.
- rollicking1801–Of an action, behaviour, song, etc.: characterized by vivaciousness or boisterousness.
- through-ganging1814–1923Active, energetic, spirited. Cf. throughgoing, adj. 2a.
- throughgoing1814–Chiefly Scottish, Irish English (northern), and U.S. regional. Of a person: that gets through work quickly or thoroughly; active, energetic…
- slashing1828–Spirited; dashing; full of vigour. Now used esp. of horses.
- high-powered1829–Of a machine or device: having greater than normal strength or capabilities; very powerful. Also in extended use: of high quality.
- high pressure1834–Involving or characterized by a high degree of exertion, urgency, or coercion; spec. (with regard to selling) employing or involving highly…
- rip-roaring1834–Full of energy and vigour; boisterous, wildly noisy; first-rate, exciting.
- red-blooded1836–Vigorous, virile, full of energy and strength; (now) esp. (of a man) having strong heterosexual appetites.
- ripsnorting1846–= rip-roaring, adj.
- zesty1853–figurative. Characterized by energy or vigour; lively, spirited; invigorating, stimulating. Cf. zest, n.¹ 3.
- dynamic1856–transferred and figurative. Active, potent, energetic, effective, forceful.
- throbbing1864–figurative. That pulsates with energy, life, etc.; thrilling, exciting; vibrant, lively.
- kinky1872–U.S. regional (New England). Esp. of a person or animal: energetic, lively, spirited; (in negative sense) difficult to manage, frisky. Now rare.
- goey1875–Full of ‘go’; energetic, lively, vigorous; dynamic, enterprising.
- torpedoic1893–Of a torpedo, like that of a torpedo.
- zippy1903–Full of ‘zip’ (zip, n.¹ B.1b); bright, lively, energetic; fresh, invigorating.
- go-at-it1904–Full of energy, vitality, or determination.
- punchy1907–Full of punch or impact; forceful, effective; vigorous.
- up-and-at-'em1909–
- driving1916–With reference to music: energetic, dynamic, forceful.
- vibranta1929–Without const. Full of vitality, teeming, vigorous; exuberant, flourishing.
- kinetic1931–transferred and figurative, esp. active, dynamic, full of energy.
- zinging1931–That abounds with energy or excitement; vibrant, lively.
- high-octane1936–figurative. Vigorous, energetic; powerful; very intense. Cf. octane, n. 3.
- zingy1938–Energetic, exciting, vibrant; (of a remark, joke, etc.) witty, lively, and effective.
- slam-bang1939–In weakened use: exciting, impressive, first-rate. Also, vigorous, energetic. colloquial.
- balls-to-the-wall1967–Unrestrained, aggressive, forceful; all-out, ‘full-throttle’. Cf. balls-out, adv. & adj.
- balls-out1968–Unrestrained, uninhibited; aggressive, extremely forceful, all-out.
- ass-kicking1977–Forceful, aggressive.
- hi-octane1977–= high-octane, adj. A.2.
- doing1591–That does, acts, performs, etc.; spec. actively engaged or occupied, busy; energetic.
- mettled1599–Of a person: = mettlesome, adj. 1c.
- spiritful1599–Of a person, the mind, etc.: spirited; full of energy, vigour, or animation; assertive, determined, bold. Cf. spirited, adj. 2a.
- spirited1601–Of a person: full of spirit; of a lively, animated, or energetic disposition; characterized by courageous, assertive, or determined behaviour. Also…
- mettle1606–1896(attributive). Spirited, feisty; lively, eager, willing. Also: brave, courageous. In later use Scottish and English regional (northern). Obsolete.
- free-spirited1613–That is or has a free spirit; lively and independent; unconstrained by convention.
- high-mettleda1626–Having or characterized by considerable courage or spirit; (esp. of a horse) lively, headstrong. Cf. mettlesome, adj.
- spright1658–Sprightly; lively, vigorous.
- racy1671–1871Of a person or personal attribute: having a distinctive lively or spirited quality; full of 'go'. Obsolete.
- mettlesome1673–Of a person: high-spirited, vivacious, playful. Also: courageous, brave.
- dashing1796–Characterized by prompt vigour of action; spirited, lively, impetuous.
- peppery1829–figurative. In extended use: strong, powerful; lively, spirited; (in negative contexts) unpleasant, objectionable.
- spunky1831–Characterized by animation or spirit.
- fizzy1855–Given to fizz. Also figurative.
- zippy1903–Full of ‘zip’ (zip, n.¹ B.1b); bright, lively, energetic; fresh, invigorating.
- smoking hot1947–colloquial. Frequently in form smokin' hot. Originally Jazz. Very lively, energetic, or exciting; performing or performed at a very high level…
- 3.1911–Designating a zesty, tangy, or piquant flavour; (of food or drink) having such flavour.
- 1911
Apples with that zippy tang that a cold climate gives.
Living without Boss xiv. 144 - 1980
Ch. Potensac. Zippy little wine.
M. Broadbent, Great Vintage Wine Book 134 - 2013
Bo kho, a beefy braise perfumed with star anise and zippy lemongrass.
Wall Street Journal 12 January d5/1
- goodOld English–Pleasing, appealing, or satisfying to the senses. Pleasant to eat or smell; tasty, appetizing; fragrant. Also in figurative contexts.
- likingOld English–1695That is pleasing or likeable; pleasant, agreeable, attractive. Also (of food): tasty, delicious. Frequently with to.
- lickerousc1275–1603Pleasing or tempting to the palate. Also gen. and figurative: Sweet, pleasant, delightful.
- deliciousa1325–Extremely pleasing to the senses, esp. to the taste or smell; providing great sensual pleasure; delectable; (now usually) very appetizing, highly…
- daintya1382–With reference to food or drink: appetizing, delicate, delicious; pleasing to the palate.
- dainteousc1386–1548= dainty, adj.
- daintiful1393–1440= dainty, adj.
- delicatea1398–Of food or drink: very pleasing to the taste; delicious; choice. Now rare.
- merrya1398–1582Of an odour: pleasant, fragrant. Of a fruit, plant, etc.: sweet-smelling, aromatic. Obsolete.
- savourlyc1400–Having a pleasant taste or fragrance; full of savour (in various senses of the noun), savoury.
- liciousc1420–1670= delicious, adj. & n.
- savourousa1425–Having a (usually pleasant) flavour or odour; appetizing, fragrant.
- daintethc1430–40Obsolete.
- lustyc1430–50Pleasing, pleasant. Obsolete. Pleasant to the taste. Obsolete.
- feelsomea1450–Pleasing to the senses.
- nuttya1450–Resembling a nut or nuts in flavour, colour, etc.
- seasonablea1475Capable of serving as seasoning; tasty, savoury. Obsolete. rare.
- delicativec1475–1510Delightful, luxurious; delicious; (of a person) given to or immoderatly fond of pleasure or luxury. Also as n.: a delicious or choice food, a…
- unctuous1495–Of meat: Greasy, fat, rich. Now archaic.
- well-tasteda1500–Having a pleasant flavour; tasty. Also figurative. Now archaic and rare.
- daintive1526= dainty, n., dainty, adj.
- savoury1533–Of food or drink: having a salty, piquant, or ‘umami’ taste or flavour; not sweet. Also: of or relating to such food or drink. Cf. umami, n.
- exquisite1561–Sought out, ‘recherché’. Of meat, drink, etc.: Carefully chosen; choice, dainty, delicious (passing into sense A.5).
- spicy1562–Having the characteristic qualities of spice; of the nature of spice.
- well-relished?1575–1826Having a pleasant taste; very appetizing. Also figurative.
- toothsome1584–Pleasant to the taste, savoury, palatable: cf. tooth, n. I.2a.
- taste-pleasinga1586–
- daint1590–1673= dainty, adj.
- relishsome1593–Relishable; tasty, appetizing.
- lickerish1595–1728Pleasant to the palate; gen. sweet, tempting, attractive; = lickerous, adj. 1. Of a cook: Skilful in preparing dainties. Obsolete.
- tastesome1598Pleasant to the taste; ‘tasty’, toothsome.
- friand1599–1818Dainty; delicious to the palate; fond of delicate food.
- tooth-tempting1603–
- relishing1605–Appetizing, relishable; enjoyable.
- well-relishing1608–1836Having a pleasant taste; = well-relished, adj. Also figurative.
- neat1609–1857Of preparations, esp. in cookery: skilfully or tastefully prepared; choice; elegant. Obsolete.
- hungry1611–Causing or inducing hunger; appetizing. rare.
- palate-pleasing1611–
- tasteful1611–Having an agreeable taste; palatable, toothsome, tasty. Now rare.
- palatea1617Pleasant to the palate or taste; palatable. Obsolete. rare.
- tastya1617–Pleasing to the taste; appetizing, savoury.
- palatable1619–Of food, drink, medicine, etc.: agreeable or acceptable to the palate; pleasant to the taste.
- toothful1622Pleasant to the taste: = toothsome, adj. Obsolete.
- sipid1623–Savoury; = sapid, adj. 1.
- unsoured1626–(un-, prefix¹ affix 2.)
- famelic1631–51Pertaining to hunger; in quots.: Exciting hunger, appetizing.
- tasteablea1641–1791Pleasant to the taste; savoury, ‘tasty’. Obsolete.
- piquant1645–Of food, etc.: having a (usually pleasantly) pungent or sharp taste; sharp; tangy; appetizing.
- sapid1646–Of food, etc.: Readily perceptible by the organs of taste, having a decided taste or flavour; esp. having a pleasant taste, savoury, palatable.
- saporousa1670–Of or pertaining to taste; having flavour or taste; yielding some kind of taste. †Also, agreeable to the taste, savoury.
- slape1671–Of ale: (see quots.).
- palativea1682–Appealing to the palate or taste. Also: of or relating to the palate.
- flavorous1697–Full of flavour; pleasing to the taste and smell, savoury; ‘fragrant, odorous’ (Johnson).
- nice1709–Of food or drink: dainty, choice; (later in weakened sense) tasty, appetizing; refreshing, restorative.
- well-flavoured1717–Having a good natural flavour; flavourful.
- gusty1721–Tasty, savoury, appetizing.
- flavoury1727–= flavoursome, adj.
- fine-palated1735–†a. Having a pleasant taste, palatable (obsolete rare); b. having a sophisticated palate (palate, n. A.2a); appreciative of fine food and drink.
- unrepulsive1787–Not repulsive.
- degustatory1824–Pertaining to degustation; tasty.
- zesty1826–Of a taste, smell, or food: piquant, tangy, agreeably sharp; flavoursome.
- peckish1845Appetizing. Obsolete. rare.
- mouth-watering1847–That causes a flow of saliva into the mouth, appetizing; (figurative) desirable, highly attractive.
- flavoursome1853–Full of flavour.
- unreasty1853Not rancid.
- unrancida1855–Not rancid. Also figurative.
- relishy1864–Appetizing, relishable.
- toothy1864–Toothsome, palatable. rare.
- flavoured1867–Having flavour; chiefly, having a specified flavour, indicated by some defining word as ill-flavoured, orange-flavoured, vanilla-flavoured, etc.
- tasty-looking1867–
- hungrifying1886–Appetizing.
- velvety1888–Smooth and soft to the taste.
- snappy1892–colloquial. Having a brisk smack or flavour.
- zippy1911–Designating a zesty, tangy, or piquant flavour; (of food or drink) having such flavour.
- savoursome1922–Having a pleasant or savoury taste or smell; (also) able to be savoured.
- delish1953–Extremely pleasing to the senses; (chiefly) very tasty or appetizing. Sometimes of a person: very attractive. Cf. delicious, adj. A.1.
- tooth-tempting1603–
- piquant1645–Of food, etc.: having a (usually pleasantly) pungent or sharp taste; sharp; tangy; appetizing.
- appetizing1653–Exciting a desire or longing, esp. for food; stimulating or whetting the appetite.
- moreish1691–Of food or drink: that makes one want to have more. Occasionally in extended use.
- peckish1845Appetizing. Obsolete. rare.
- mouth-watering1847–That causes a flow of saliva into the mouth, appetizing; (figurative) desirable, highly attractive.
- appetitive1864–Giving an appetite; appetizing, attractive. rare.
- tasty-looking1867–
- hungrifying1886–Appetizing.
- zippy1911–Designating a zesty, tangy, or piquant flavour; (of food or drink) having such flavour.
- binge-worthy1997–Of food or drink: extremely appetizing or enjoyable, in a way that encourages overindulgence.
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
zippy typically occurs about 0.03 times per million words in modern written English.
zippy 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 zippy, adj., 1900–2010
* 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 |
|---|---|
| 1900 | 0.0034 |
| 1910 | 0.0043 |
| 1920 | 0.0049 |
| 1930 | 0.0055 |
| 1940 | 0.0078 |
| 1950 | 0.012 |
| 1960 | 0.017 |
| 1970 | 0.022 |
| 1980 | 0.028 |
| 1990 | 0.031 |
| 2000 | 0.035 |
| 2010 | 0.04 |
Frequency of zippy, adj., 2017–2024
* Occurrences per million words in written English
Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.
Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the corpus.
| Period | Frequency per million words |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 0.21 |
| 2018 | 0.2 |
| 2019 | 0.19 |
| 2020 | 0.18 |
| 2021 | 0.19 |
| 2022 | 0.18 |
| 2023 | 0.19 |
| 2024 | 0.2 |
Compounds & derived words
- zippiness, n. 1907–The quality of being zippy (in various senses)…
- zippily, adv. 1924–In a zippy manner; quickly, with great energy or…