zip, v.¹

zip
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zip_v1%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2021

# zipverb1

## Earlier version

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

## Factsheet

### What does the verb zip mean?

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

zip has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

costume (1920s) computing (1980s)

### How common is the verb zip?

About 0.9occurrences per million words in modern written English

1850 | 0.004
1860 | 0.0062
1870 | 0.009
1880 | 0.015
1890 | 0.025
1900 | 0.034
1910 | 0.05
1920 | 0.076
1930 | 0.1
1940 | 0.13
1950 | 0.2
1960 | 0.32
1970 | 0.49
1980 | 0.71
1990 | 0.93
2000 | 1.1
2010 | 1.2

### How is the verb zip pronounced?

#### British English

/zɪp/
zip

#### U.S. English

/zɪp/
zip

### Where does the verb zip come from?

Earliest known use

1850s

The earliest known use of the verb zip is in the 1850s.

OED's earliest evidence for zip is from 1852, in Knickerbocker.

It is also recorded as an exclamation from the late 1600s.

zip is formed within English, by conversion.

Etymons: zip int., zip n.1

### Nearby entries

1. Zionism, n. 1896–
2. Zionist, n. & adj. a1649–
3. Zionistic, adj. 1887–
4. Zionite, n. 1596–
5. Zionless, adj. 1908
6. Zionward, adv. 1647–
7. Zionwards, adv. 1674–
8. zip, n.² & adj. 1900–
9. zip, n.³ 1962–
10. zip, n.⁴ 1968–
11. zip, v.¹1852–
12. zip, v.² 1964–
13. zip, int. & n.¹ 1678–
14. zip-a-dee-doo-dah, int. & adj. 1945–
15. zip code, n. 1962–
16. zip-code, v. 1962–
17. zip-coded, adj. 1963–
18. zip-coding, n. 1964–
19. zip coon, n. 1833–
20. zip cuff, n. 1995–
21. zip cuff, v. 1996–

## Etymology

### Summary

Formed within English, by conversion.
< zip int. and zip n.1…
< zip int. and zip n.1

### Notes

With to zip it at sense 2d compare earlier button it at button v. II.5c and zipper v. 2.
With sense 2e compare earlier unzip v. 3 and zipper v. 3.

## Meaning & use

1. 1.
   colloquial.
   1. 1.a.
      1852–
      intransitive. To move briskly or with speed; spec. to move rapidly through the air with a sharp whining, buzzing, or ripping sound (see zip n.1 B.1a). Usually with adverb or prepositional phrase expressing direction.
      1. 1852

         > How we did ‘z-i-p!’ Seven miles, at one time, in less than seven minutes.

         Knickerbocker August 182
      2. 1907

         > ‘Let her zip,’ said Mr. Colclough.

         A. Bennett, Grim Smile of Five Towns 222
      3. 1917

         > The bullets came ‘zipping’ over our heads.

         J. Martin, Diary 7 June in Sapper Martin (2010) 74
      4. 1958

         > I found the man..zipping round the garden..on a toy trike.

         Daily Mail 24 February 12/2
      5. 1967

         > Rail travelers will be able to make telephone calls while zipping along at speeds of up to 160 miles an hour from New York City to Washington, D.C.

         Electronics 6 March 46/2
      6. 1998

         > The ball zipped past him, smacked against the wall and ricocheted back on to his shin.

         K. Shamsie, In City by Sea xvi. 133
      colloquial and slang
      1. fly Old English–
         intransitive. To move through the air with wings. Also with adverbs, as about, away, forth, off, out, etc. as the crow flies: see crow, n.¹ 3c.
      2. lake Old English–1540
         intransitive. To exert oneself, move quickly, leap, spring; hence, to fight. Obsolete.
      3. run Old English–
         intransitive. In various figurative contexts, generally with the implication of rapid motion.
      4. hie c1330–1607
         To advance or come on quickly, hasten on; to ‘get on’, make progress; to speed, prosper.
      5. jace 1393
         Alteration of chace, apparently for alliteration's sake.
      6. scour a1400–
         To move rapidly, go in haste, run. Chiefly with adverbs, indicating the direction, etc.
      7. spin a1400–
         To move rapidly; to run quickly; now esp. to ride or drive at a rapid and even rate.
      8. fleet c1400–
         intransitive. To move swiftly; to flit, fly. Also with away. Cf. fleet, adj.¹
      9. glent c1400–
         Of light, etc.: To be reflected, flash, gleam, etc. Of luminous or reflecting objects: To shine. (Cf. glint, v. i.) Now only dialect.
      10. strip c1400–1616
          intransitive. To move or pass swiftly.
      11. sue a1450–1540
          intransitive. To move, go, esp. quickly; to sally forth or out. Cf. sway, v. I.1a. Obsolete.
      12. carry c1450–1568
          intransitive. To go or travel vigorously or speedily; to proceed rapidly. Chiefly with adverb or prepositional phrase indicating direction. Obsolete.
      13. speed 1488–
          intransitive. To go or move with speed. Also with it, up.
      14. scud 1532–
          intransitive. To run or move briskly or hurriedly; to dart nimbly from place to place.
      15. cut 1590–
          intransitive. Chiefly colloquial. With an adverb or preposition indicating direction. To move rapidly or hurriedly in the specified direction. Cf. nip…
      16. streek 1598–
          transferred, e.g. of the sun in its course. Of a river: To flow, stream.
      17. wing a1616–
          intransitive (†occasionally reflexive). To use one's wings, take flight, fly; occasionally transferred to sail; figurative to ‘fly’, pass swiftly…
      18. to clip it 1616–
          intransitive. To move the wings rapidly; to fly rapidly. Also to clip it. archaic.
      19. hackney 1617–1785
          transitive (in passive). To be hurried or rushed; to be driven hard. Also intransitive: to hurry at something. Obsolete.
      20. swift a1618–
          intransitive. To move swiftly; to hasten.
      21. whirry c1630–
          intransitive. To move or go rapidly, hurry.
      22. dust 1673–99
          transitive. To drink quickly, ‘toss off’ (liquor).
      23. whew 1684–
          intransitive. To move quickly; to hurry away, depart abruptly (dialect); to bustle about (U.S.).
      24. race 1702–
          To move rapidly. intransitive. Of a person or animal: to move or progress swiftly; to run hastily or excitedly. Also in extended uses.
      25. stroke 1735–
          intransitive. To go quickly; to travel.
      26. lick 1803–
          intransitive, and transitive with it as object. colloquial. To move at full speed; to run, to race. Now frequently with along. See also lick, n. 5b.
      27. spank 1807–
          intransitive. To move or travel with speed and elasticity; to go quickly and vigorously; to ride or… Of animals, in general use.
      28. skid 1815–
          intransitive. To run or go quickly, to scud. Also, = scud, v.¹ 2.
      29. speel a1818–
          intransitive. To go fast; to run away, make off. Chiefly Australian in later use.
      30. crack 1824–
          intransitive. To ‘whip’ on, ‘pelt’ along, travel with speed; Nautical to clap on full sail (colloquial)
      31. skimmer 1824–
          To flutter, move rapidly.
      32. slap 1827–
          To move or walk quickly; to go along in this manner. dialect or colloquial. Also poetic.
      33. clip 1832–
          intransitive (colloquial) To move or run quickly. Cf. cut, v. VI.38. U.S.
      34. skeet 1838–
          intransitive. To move swiftly; to hurry; to run. Usually with adverbs.
      35. marvel 1841–
          intransitive. To go quickly, to move smartly. Also (occasionally) transitive: to cause to move rapidly.
      36. travel 1850–
          intransitive. colloquial. Originally: to go away or depart, esp. with speed; chiefly in imperative, expressing hostile or aggressive dismissal. Now…
      37. rush 1852–
          intransitive. To travel rapidly; to move or act with haste; to hurry.
      38. zip 1852–
          colloquial. intransitive. To move briskly or with speed; spec. to move rapidly through the air with a sharp whining, buzzing, or ripping sound (see…
      39. sail 1876–
          Of persons, in various transferred senses. To move or go in a stately or dignified manner, suggestive of the movement of a ship under sail. (Chiefly…
      40. rabbit 1887–
          intransitive. colloquial. To move quickly or in the manner of a rabbit; to run away.
      41. shift 1896–
          intransitive. colloquial (chiefly British). To move quickly; to run quickly.
      42. giddy-up 1902–
          intransitive. Esp. of a horse or rider: to move quickly; to get moving.
      43. move 1906–
          intransitive. colloquial. To go quickly.
      44. high-tail 1908–
          intransitive, and transitive with it as object. To run (quickly) away; to move or leave quickly. Chiefly with adverbial complement.
      45. buzz 1914–
          slang. To go (quickly). to buzz off: to go off or away quickly. Also to buzz in: to come in (quickly), to enter.
      46. to ball the jack 1914–
          transitive. U.S. slang. to ball the jack: to behave recklessly or wildly; (also) to travel fast, to hurry.
      47. burn 1942–
          Of a motor car, etc.: to travel at speed. slang.
      48. hoosh 1943–
          transitive. To force or turn or drive (an animal, etc.) off (or out, etc.); also intransitive, to move (rapidly). Cf. also quot. 1943.
      49. bomb 1958–
          intransitive. colloquial (chiefly British). To move, travel, or drive fast. Frequently with adverb or prepositional phrase expressing direction. Cf. l…
      50. shred 1977–
          Surfing. To cut or plough rapidly through (the water, etc.) on a surfboard; also transferred, to travel along (a track, etc.) at speed. Also intrans…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. whither 1487–
         intransitive. To move with force or impetus, to rush; to make a rushing sound, to whizz; to bluster or rage, as the wind.
      2. whizz a1547–
         intransitive. To make a sound as of a body rushing through the air (see whizz, n.¹); (of trees) to rustle; (of a burning or hot object) to hiss…
      3. whizzle 1582–
         intransitive. To whizz or whistle.
      4. zip 1852–
         colloquial. intransitive. To move briskly or with speed; spec. to move rapidly through the air with a sharp whining, buzzing, or ripping sound (see…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 1.b.
      1891–
      transitive. To cause (something) to move quickly; to produce or deliver rapidly. Usually with adverb (esp. out) or prepositional phrase expressing direction.
      1. 1891

         > He was zipping off some sharp corners with an odd little plane.

         W. B. Allen, Boyhood of John Kent i. 16
      2. 1902

         > He zipped balls over the heather in fast form and plugged ‘Scoops’ Carey's mit full of leather all the while he worked.

         Washington Post 6 April
      3. 1909

         > Our clarinets [were] zipping out chromatics that were fairly red hot.

         H. A. Shute, Country Band ix. 107
      4. 1972

         > I went on duty soon, zipping drinks to a large crowd.

         M. J. Bosse, Incident at Naha i. 62
      5. 1988

         > Then he zips a pass out to his receiver.

         L. Wilson, American Football iii. 53/2
      6. 2002

         > In no time at all she..was zipping out letters and answering the telephone like a pro.

         M. J. Rodgers, Cradle & All vi. 107
      colloquial and slang
      1. feather Old English–1849
         transitive. To give wings to; to ‘wing’ for flight. literal and figurative. Obsolete.
      2. speed a1387–
         To give speed to (a course, etc.); to hasten; to cause to be rapid in movement.
      3. whirry 1582–
         transitive. To carry or drive swiftly; to hurry along. Also figurative.
      4. wing a1596–
         figurative (or in figurative context): To ‘give wings to’; to enable to ‘fly’ or ‘soar’; to give speed or swift motion to; to speed, hasten.
      5. rattle?1611–
         Denoting motion or travel, with adverb or prepositional construction indicating direction. transitive. To cause to move with a rattling noise. Also…
      6. race 1734–
         transitive. To cause to move swiftly or progress rapidly.
      7. to send along 1867–
         transitive. To cause to travel rapidly; figurative to accelerate the progress or growth of.
      8. zip 1891–
         colloquial. transitive. To cause (something) to move quickly; to produce or deliver rapidly. Usually with adverb (esp. out) or prepositional phrase…
      9. roller-coast 1962–
         transitive. figurative. To drive or move (a person or thing) onwards, or up and down, at a high speed or in an abrupt or unpredictable manner.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. deliver c1400–50
         transitive. To finish or dispose of (something) rapidly; to kill (a person) quickly. Obsolete.
      2. expedite 1471–
         To perform quickly; to ‘get out of hand’, dispatch, accomplish.
      3. dispatch c1515–
         To dispose or rid oneself promptly of (a piece of business, etc.); to get done, get through, accomplish, settle, finish off, conclude, execute…
      4. jump a1616–84
         To effect or do as with a jump. Obsolete.
      5. to make wash-work with 1637
         to make wash-work with: apparently ‘to make short work of’. Cf. the phrase under wash-way, n. 1b, of which this appears to be an altered form.
      6. rattle a1766–
         transitive. Of a musician, a musical instrument, etc.: to play, produce (music) in a rapid, lively, effortless, or perfunctory manner. Frequently…
      7. to knock off 1817–
         To dispatch, dispose of, put out of hand, accomplish; to complete or do hastily; spec. to write, paint, etc., in a hurried and perfunctory fashion…
      8. rustle 1844–
         Originally U.S. regional. transitive. To acquire or gather, typically as a result of searching or employing effort or initiative, and in response…
      9. reel 1870–
         In extended use. transitive. To accomplish or complete (something) swiftly or without hesitation or effort.
      10. zip 1891–
          colloquial. transitive. To cause (something) to move quickly; to produce or deliver rapidly. Usually with adverb (esp. out) or prepositional phrase…
      11. rush 1893–
          transitive. To produce or carry out rapidly or hastily; to bring out or push through in an unusually rapid or hurried manner. Frequently with out, th…
      12. fast forward 1982–
          transitive. figurative. To move (someone or something) quickly forward to a later point in time; to speed up (a process), as though on a video. Also…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
2. 2.
   Senses relating to zip fasteners.
   See also to zip up at Phrasal verbs, unzip v.
   1. 2.a.
      1925–
      intransitive. To open or unfasten, or close or fasten, in a specified way by means of a zip; to have a zip fastener.
      1. 1925

         > These good looking zippers, zip up the front and are easier to walk in than most overshoes.

         Lincoln (Nebraska) Sunday Star 1 November 7
      2. 1942

         > Zips flawlessly.

         Time 23 February 78 (advertisement)
      3. 1995

         > All three pieces conveniently zip together to form one giant size travel bag.

         Leader (Canada) March 32/2
      4. 1999

         > Trousers that zip off at the knee to become shorts.

         Select February 64/1
      5. 2011

         > The little zip [on the tent] opened a fraction and an eye appeared. Then it zipped shut again.

         M. McCrum, Walking with Wounded xvi. 200
      1. zip 1925–
         Senses relating to zip fasteners. intransitive. To open or unfasten, or close or fasten, in a specified way by means of a zip; to have a zip fastener.
      2. zipper 1930–
         intransitive. To open or unfasten, or close or fasten, in a specified way by means of a zip; to have a zip fastener.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 2.b.
      1927–
      transitive. To close or fasten (something) by means of a zip (frequently with adverb or complement, as shut, on, together, etc.). Also (with open, off, etc.): to open or unfasten (something) by means of a zip (cf. unzip v. 1a).
      1. 1927

         > What do these women do with the time they save in zipping and unzipping their galoshes?

         Brandon (Manitoba) Daily Sun 8 February 4/3
      2. 1928

         > She buttoned her coat high, zipped her arctics together, pulled on a pair of woolen gloves, squashed her hat down a little tighter.

         American Journal of Nursing vol. 28 1229/1
      3. 1944

         > Zipping on her enchanted house-coat over her night-dress.

         E. Bowen in Penguin New Writing vol. 20 60
      4. 1992

         > Elliot zipped the flaps closed..and padded over to his cot.

         C. Wilkins, Wolf's Eye 161
      5. 1997

         > The surgical whiff from the nappy bag a woman nearby zipped open.

         J. Ryan, Dismantling Mr Doyle i. 4
      6. 2013

         > You have the option to zip off the sleeves and reverse them to give yourself an all-new look.

         Onboard March 114/1
      7. 2014

         > I zipped my bag, slipped it over my shoulder, and followed Mona out of the shop.

         Z. Fishman, Driving Lessons xv. 197
      1. zip 1927–
         Senses relating to zip fasteners. transitive. To close or fasten (something) by means of a zip (frequently with adverb or complement, as shut, on, tog…
      2. zipper 1927–
         transitive. To close or fasten (something, esp. an item of clothing) by means of a zip (frequently with up). Also (with open, down, etc.): to open…
      3. to zip up 1932–
         transitive. To close or fasten (something) by means of a zip. Also intransitive: (of a garment, type of fastening, etc.) to open (or close) by…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. unbuckle c1386–
         transitive. To unfasten the buckle of (a shoe, belt, etc.); to undo or set free in this way.
      2. unnail 1485–
         transitive. To undo or take apart by the extraction or removal of nails.
      3. unclasp 1530–
         transitive. To unfasten the clasp or clasps of; to undo, unfasten.
      4. unsolder 1538–
         transitive. To undo the soldering of. Also figurative, to dissolve.
      5. disbuckle 1562
         transitive. To undo the buckling of, to unbuckle, draw apart.
      6. unpin 1587–
         transitive. To remove the pegs, dowels, rods, etc., from (something fastened or held together by these); to unfasten, take apart, or detach in this…
      7. unrivet 1591–
         transitive. To undo, unfasten, or detach by the removal of rivets.
      8. unlink 1595–
         transitive. To unfasten (a chain); to undo (the links of a chain). Hence: to break (a connection, association, etc.); to take apart.
      9. unloop 1599–
         transitive. To unfasten by undoing a loop or loops.
      10. unpeg 1604–
          transitive. To unfasten by the removal of pegs; esp. to take down (laundry) from a clothes line.
      11. unhasp 1610
          transitive. To free from a hasp or catch; to unfasten; figurative to disclose.
      12. uncord 1611
          transitive. To unstring (a bow); to free or disengage from a cord or cords.
      13. unhoop 1611–
          (un-, prefix² affix 1b.)
      14. unwedge 1611–
          transitive (and reflexive). To free from a wedged condition. Also figurative.
      15. unsplint 1615–
          (un-, prefix² affix 1b.ii.)
      16. refibulate 1623
          transitive. To unclasp, unfasten, unbuckle. Cf. slightly later fibulate, v.
      17. replumb 1623
          transitive. To unsolder. Obsolete. rare.
      18. unlatch c1625–
          transitive. To undo the latch or catch of (a door, window, etc.); to release or unfasten (anything held by means of a latch or similar fastening…
      19. unscrew 1651–
          transitive. To slacken or detach by turning a screw (either separate or forming part of the thing turned).
      20. unclamp 1655–
          transitive. To remove a clamp or clamps from; (also) to disconnect or unfasten by removing a clamp from.
      21. unrope 1673–
          transitive. To detach by undoing a rope; (also) to remove a rope from.
      22. unstring 1681–
          To undo the strings of (a purse). Also absol.
      23. unlash 1796–
          transitive. To undo or untie (a cord, rope, etc., with which something is lashed or bound).
      24. unkey 1802–
          transitive. To unfasten by removing a pin, wedge, bolt, etc. Cf. key, v. 2a. Now rare.
      25. unspring 1802–
          transitive. To release or detach by pressing a spring.
      26. unwire 1823–
          (un-, prefix² affix 1b.)
      27. unstrap 1828–
          (un-, prefix² affix 1b.ii.)
      28. unscotch 1839–
          (un-, prefix².)
      29. unclap 1846–
          transitive. To unfasten; to unclasp. Cf. unclasp, v. 1a, 3b.
      30. unspike 1846–
          To release by the removal of a spike.
      31. uncramp 1851–
          (un-, prefix² affix 1a.)
      32. unspear 1859–
          transitive. To free from being transfixed.
      33. untoggle 1859–
          (un-, prefix².)
      34. unsnap 1862–
          transitive. To reverse or undo the action of snapping; to release or detach by undoing a snap or catch.
      35. undraw 1872–
          To draw back (esp. a curtain); to unfasten by pulling.
      36. disbutton 1887–
          transitive. To undo the buttons of, to unbutton.
      37. uncinch 1891–
          (un-, prefix² affix 1a or affix 1b.ii.)
      38. disimpale 1904–
          transitive. To unfix from something pointed. Also figurative.
      39. unzip 1927–
          transitive. To unfasten (a bag, item of clothing, etc.) by means of a zip; to unfasten (a zip).
      40. zip 1927–
          Senses relating to zip fasteners. transitive. To close or fasten (something) by means of a zip (frequently with adverb or complement, as shut, on, tog…
      41. unzipper 1936–
          transitive. To unfasten (an item of clothing, bag, etc.) by means of a zipper; to unzip. Also figurative and in extended use: to cause…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. 2.c.
      1929–
      transitive. With in, into: to enclose or cover (someone or something) in an item of clothing, a bag, etc., by closing or fastening it by means of a zip. Also similarly with out, out of: to remove or uncover (a person or thing) from an item of clothing, a bag, etc., by unzipping it. Also reflexive.
      1. 1929

         > Smart! New! Zip on Togs. Active youngsters like to zip themselves into these sturdy togs.

         Border Cities Star (Windsor, Ontario) 13 November 2/6 (advertisement)
      2. 1936

         > Easy to ‘Zip’ baby in and out!

         Golden Jubilee Catalogue (Sears, Roebuck & Co.) 163/4
      3. 1956

         > Shivering in the icy atmosphere, [I] zipped myself into my double-layer sleeping bag.

         G. N. Patterson, God's Fool i. 14
      4. 1995

         > Undecided whether to turn my watch forward or back, I zip it into my carry-on bag and go barearm.

         C. Morton, Oceans Apart v. 51
      5. 2000

         > Mother's body was zipped into a bag and stretchered down the stairs.

         I. Pattison, Stranger here Myself (2001) ix. 301
      6. 2014

         > Marie zipped her into a full-skirted dress.

         C. Sandy, What would Mary Berry Do? 285
      costume
      1. lace?c1225–
         transitive. To fasten, tighten, or fix on with a cord, string, etc.; to fasten the lace of. Chiefly spec.: to fasten or tighten (an item of…
      2. gird 1297–
         To secure (clothing, armour, etc.) on the person by means of a girdle; also to gird on, to gird up.
      3. belt a1400–
         transitive. To gird on (a weapon); to fasten on (armour, a shield, etc.) with a belt. Also with on.
      4. button a1425–
         transitive. To fasten (a garment) with buttons; to secure or close by means of a button or buttons. Often with up.
      5. garter c1440–
         transitive. To tie with a garter. Also with on, up.
      6. lash c1440–1611
         transitive. To lace (a garment). Obsolete.
      7. point a1470–1598
         transitive. To fasten or lace (an item of clothing) with tagged points or laces; to fit or adorn with such points. Obsolete.
      8. truss a1475–
         spec. To tie the ‘points’ or laces with which the hose were fastened to the doublet. (With the hose, the points, or the person as object.) Cf. 6. Obs…
      9. lace 1485–
         transitive. With up. Also intransitive: to fasten the laces of one's shoes, boots, etc.
      10. fasten 1600
          transitive. To close or secure (a garment, bag, etc.) by means of a tie, belt, clasp, buttons, or other fastening; to close or secure something…
      11. bind 1720
          transferred. To fasten together or connect in various ways, as to harness a horse or chariot (obsolete), to fasten parts of dress (poetic), to…
      12. staylace 1832–
          transitive. To lace up with staylaces.
      13. sandal 1897–
          To fasten with sandals (sandal, n.¹ 3).
      14. zip 1929–
          Senses relating to zip fasteners. transitive. With in, into: to enclose or cover (someone or something) in an item of clothing, a bag, etc., by…
      15. to zip up 1937–
          transitive. To fasten the clothes of (a person) by means of a zip; to enclose (a person) in a sleeping bag or other item by pulling up the zip.
      16. zipper 1938–
          transitive. To fasten the clothes of (a person) by means of a zip; to enclose (a person) in something by closing it with a zip; to zip (a person) into…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      1. button 1660–
         transitive (reflexive). To fasten the clothes of (a person) with buttons. Also intransitive: to fasten the buttons of an item of clothing. Also with…
      2. zip 1929–
         Senses relating to zip fasteners. transitive. With in, into: to enclose or cover (someone or something) in an item of clothing, a bag, etc., by…
      3. to zip up 1930–
         intransitive and transitive (reflexive). To fasten one's clothes by means of a zip; spec. to fasten the zip of one's flies. Also: to enclose…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   4. 2.d.
      1941–
      transitive. figurative. To keep (one's mouth or lips) closed so as not to talk or divulge information. Also in to zip it: to stop talking. Frequently used in commands to stop talking, as in zip it, zip your lip. Cf. to zip up 2d at Phrasal verbs, zipper v. 2.
      In quot. 1939 the transitivity and precise meaning are not entirely clear, although a connection with this sense appears very likely.
      1. [1939

         > Zip, shut up.

         L. B. Howsley, Argot 55]
      2. 1941

         > To Protect Our Boys From Enemy Saboteurs, Zip Your Lip!

         Arizona Republic 16 December 20/2 (caption)
      3. 1973

         > Authority, including the B.B.C., did not speculate about guilt. Mouths were carefully zipped.

         J. Drummond, Bang! Bang! You're Dead! viii. 13
      4. 1990

         > When they learn to zip their lips, they won't have leaks to bitch about anymore.

         P. Cornwell, Post-mortem (1998) iii. 53
      5. 2000

         > I've had a long day. I don't want to hear any more about it. I've had enough, so zip it.

         P. Scanlan in J. Adams et al., Girls' Night In 231
   5. 2.e.
      1958–
      transitive. In scientific contexts: (of polymeric molecules, membranes, etc.) to bind or fasten to (another, or each other) as if by a zip fastener, esp. by a linear or sequential series of bonds or links. Also intransitive and reflexive: to become attached to another in this manner. Frequently with up, to, or together. Cf. zipper v. 3.
      Quot. 1954 shows an earlier reference to molecular binding being likened to the action of a zip, without using the verb.
      1. [1954

         > When in a disturbed state they [sc. molecular chains] have been likened to a partly opened zip fastener, the two sides of which have no difficulty in fitting together when they are brought together.

         Journal of Royal Society of Arts vol. 102 848]
      2. 1958

         > Everybody knows, of course, that the thing for them [sc. amino acids] to do is to get lined up on a template and get ‘zipped’ up.

         Quarterly Review of Biology vol. 33 254/2
      3. 1969

         > Both strands [of DNA] remain aligned during denaturation and ‘zip’ together as hydrogen bonds reform.

         Science Journal August 51/2
      4. 1989

         > The sides of the furrow are wide at first, but later the sides are zipped together by interacting lamellipodia.

         Philosophical Transactions (Royal Society) B. vol. 325 34
      5. 1995

         > A large portion of DNA diagnostics relies on zipping a ‘known’ strand of DNA (for instance, from virus) to a matching piece of DNA in the sample being tested.

         New Scientist 4 March 21/2
      6. 2009

         > The RNA, once formed, is separated from the DNA molecule, which zips itself back up.

         D. Nettle, Evol. & Genetics for Psychology ii. 33
3. 3.
   1989–
   transitive. Computing. Also with capital initial and in form ZIP. To compress (a file) by adding it to a zip archive file (see zip n.1 B.3). Opposed to unzip v. 4.
   1. 1989

      > An entire directory tree can be zipped and restored using the P and R options.

      comp.sys.ibm.pc 9 February (Usenet newsgroup, accessed 10 Oct. 2011)
   2. 1993

      > System after system threw in with Katz and ZIPped their formerly ARCed files.

      Computer Shopper July 548/2
   3. 2002

      > To store non-music folders on the Nomad, you must first Zip them into compressed files.

      Chicago Tribune 13 January v. 4/6
   4. 2009

      > On a PC, you can zip the file using an application like WinZip.

      L. S. King, Photoshop CS4 xvi. 620
   computing

## Pronunciation

### British English

/zɪp/
zip

### U.S. English

/zɪp/
zip

####

##### 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

zip typically occurs about 0.9 times per million words in modern written English.

zip is in frequency band 4, which contains words occurring between 0.1 and 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 zip, v.¹, 1850–2010

* 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
--- | ---
1850 | 0.004
1860 | 0.0062
1870 | 0.009
1880 | 0.015
1890 | 0.025
1900 | 0.034
1910 | 0.05
1920 | 0.076
1930 | 0.1
1940 | 0.13
1950 | 0.2
1960 | 0.32
1970 | 0.49
1980 | 0.71
1990 | 0.93
2000 | 1.1
2010 | 1.2

### Frequency of zip, v.¹, 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 | 1.6
2018 | 1.6
2019 | 1.5
2020 | 1.4
2021 | 1.3
2022 | 1.4
2023 | 1.5
2024 | 1.5

## Phrasal verbs

1. With adverbs in specialized senses.
   1. to zip up
      1. 1.
         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 more flavourful. Cf. zip n.1 B.1b.
         1. 1927

            > Make a nice sweet vinegar with favorite spices, and a small quantity of tumeric [sic] to zip up the color.

            Everybodys Poultry Magazine October 672/3
         2. 1957

            > I always tried to have some humorous byplay to zip up the performers.

            J. Lake & H. Giblo, Footlights, Fistfights & Femmes 104
         3. 2015

            > In Haiti, pikliz may be served with any fried foods to cut through the richness, but it also zips up a simple bowl of rice and beans.

            New York Times (National edition) 11 March d2/1
         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
         1. string 1599–
            figurative. (Often with direct allusion to 1). To make tense, brace, give vigour or tone to (the nerves, sinews, the mind, its ideas or impressions…
         2. invigorate 1646–
            transitive. To impart vigour to; to render vigorous; to fill with life and energy; to strengthen, animate.
         3. energate 1647–80
            transitive. To give force or efficacy to. Cf. energy, n. 2b.
         4. to light up 1712–
            transitive. To fill (a person, the soul, etc.) with excitement or enthusiasm; to animate; to energize. Also: to inspire or stimulate (the…
         5. brace 1804–
            transitive. To improve the health or vitality of (a person); to invigorate, revive (a person, or a person's spirits, courage, etc.). Also with up…
         6. alacrify 1864–
            transitive. To fill with alacrity; to energize, invigorate. Cf. alacriate, v.
         7. energize 1876–
            transitive. To infuse, fill, or supply with vigour, dynamism, or enthusiasm; to invigorate, to vitalize; to stimulate.
         8. power 1898–
            transitive. To supply with mechanical or electrical energy; to provide with a source of power. Frequently with by (also with). Also figurative.
         9. 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…
         10. 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…
         11. volt 1930–
             transitive. To charge (something) as with electricity; to energize; to shock.
         12. adrenalize 1935–
             transitive. To rouse into activity; to stir up, excite, energize.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      2. 1. 2.a.
            1930–
            intransitive and transitive (reflexive). To fasten one's clothes by means of a zip; spec. to fasten the zip of one's flies. Also: to enclose oneself in a sleeping bag or other item by pulling up the zip.
            1. 1930

               > The customer..will simply lie down on the opened suit, insert his arms and legs into the proper apertures, and zip himself up.

               New Yorker 8 November 25/1
            2. 1964

               > Thinks he's a big deal stud or somethin. Stands there puttin on his big stud bit, sticks his wornout bird back in his pants, zips up, sits down.

               R. Gover, Here goes Kitten 83
            3. 1993

               > He got onto the couch, pulled the sleeping-bag around him and zipped up.

               I. Welsh, Trainspotting (1994) 142
            4. 1999

               > The man's now at the wash-basin. Stuart zips up, relaxed, saunters over to the adjacent basin, washes his hands.

               R. T. Davies, Queer as Folk: Scripts Episode 2. 42 (stage direct.)
            5. 2006

               > I got out of the car, found my parka in the back and zipped myself up.

               S. Ings, Weight of Numbers 41
            costume
            1. button 1776–
               intransitive. Of garments: to be, or be capable of being, fastened with buttons. Often with up.
            2. to zip up 1930–
               intransitive and transitive (reflexive). To fasten one's clothes by means of a zip; spec. to fasten the zip of one's flies. Also: to enclose…
            3. lace 1985–
               transitive. With up. Also intransitive: to fasten the laces of one's shoes, boots, etc.
            View in Historical Thesaurus
            1. button 1660–
               transitive (reflexive). To fasten the clothes of (a person) with buttons. Also intransitive: to fasten the buttons of an item of clothing. Also with…
            2. zip 1929–
               Senses relating to zip fasteners. transitive. With in, into: to enclose or cover (someone or something) in an item of clothing, a bag, etc., by…
            3. to zip up 1930–
               intransitive and transitive (reflexive). To fasten one's clothes by means of a zip; spec. to fasten the zip of one's flies. Also: to enclose…
            View in Historical Thesaurus
         2. 2.b.
            1932–
            transitive. To close or fasten (something) by means of a zip. Also intransitive: (of a garment, type of fastening, etc.) to open (or close) by means of a zip; to have a zip fastening.
            1. 1932

               > He zipped up his trousers.

               A. Huxley, Brave New World iii. 50
            2. 1939

               > The most marvellous outfits..that you step into and zip up.

               Punch 11 October 412/2
            3. 1950

               > Best's Tote-a-Tot... It zips up like a Baby Bunting.

               New York Times 13 August 7/7 (advertisement)
            4. 1970

               > I..got into the bag and zipped it up.

               J. Dickey, Deliverance ii. 95
            5. 1989

               > 505s: quite close to 501s, except the fly zips up.

               New York Woman October 140/2
            6. 1999

               > I zip up my fly, wash my hands and leave an ostentatious tip.

               J. Poller, Reach xxxii. 97
            1. zip 1927–
               Senses relating to zip fasteners. transitive. To close or fasten (something) by means of a zip (frequently with adverb or complement, as shut, on, tog…
            2. zipper 1927–
               transitive. To close or fasten (something, esp. an item of clothing) by means of a zip (frequently with up). Also (with open, down, etc.): to open…
            3. to zip up 1932–
               transitive. To close or fasten (something) by means of a zip. Also intransitive: (of a garment, type of fastening, etc.) to open (or close) by…
            View in Historical Thesaurus
         3. 2.c.
            1937–
            transitive. To fasten the clothes of (a person) by means of a zip; to enclose (a person) in a sleeping bag or other item by pulling up the zip.
            1. 1937

               > Wool flannel coats that zip you up in glamour! Zipper extends from throat to a kick pleat at the bottom.

               Nebraska State Journal 27 November (advertisement)
            2. 1948

               > Made of 100% pure, soft wool, requires no pillows or blankets. Just zip baby up and place in crib or bed.

               Mansfield (Ohio) News-Jrnl. 17 October 11 (advertisement)
            3. 1986

               > Mum grabs him by the hood, reeling him in, and zips him up with a pinch at his chin.

               S. Minot, Monkeys i. 1
            4. 1998

               > She..turned around. ‘Could you do me up at the back? There's a darl.’ Larkin zipped Pauline up.

               M. Waites, Little Triggers (1999) i. 7
            costume
            1. lace?c1225–
               transitive. To fasten, tighten, or fix on with a cord, string, etc.; to fasten the lace of. Chiefly spec.: to fasten or tighten (an item of…
            2. gird 1297–
               To secure (clothing, armour, etc.) on the person by means of a girdle; also to gird on, to gird up.
            3. belt a1400–
               transitive. To gird on (a weapon); to fasten on (armour, a shield, etc.) with a belt. Also with on.
            4. button a1425–
               transitive. To fasten (a garment) with buttons; to secure or close by means of a button or buttons. Often with up.
            5. garter c1440–
               transitive. To tie with a garter. Also with on, up.
            6. lash c1440–1611
               transitive. To lace (a garment). Obsolete.
            7. point a1470–1598
               transitive. To fasten or lace (an item of clothing) with tagged points or laces; to fit or adorn with such points. Obsolete.
            8. truss a1475–
               spec. To tie the ‘points’ or laces with which the hose were fastened to the doublet. (With the hose, the points, or the person as object.) Cf. 6. Obs…
            9. lace 1485–
               transitive. With up. Also intransitive: to fasten the laces of one's shoes, boots, etc.
            10. fasten 1600
                transitive. To close or secure (a garment, bag, etc.) by means of a tie, belt, clasp, buttons, or other fastening; to close or secure something…
            11. bind 1720
                transferred. To fasten together or connect in various ways, as to harness a horse or chariot (obsolete), to fasten parts of dress (poetic), to…
            12. staylace 1832–
                transitive. To lace up with staylaces.
            13. sandal 1897–
                To fasten with sandals (sandal, n.¹ 3).
            14. zip 1929–
                Senses relating to zip fasteners. transitive. With in, into: to enclose or cover (someone or something) in an item of clothing, a bag, etc., by…
            15. to zip up 1937–
                transitive. To fasten the clothes of (a person) by means of a zip; to enclose (a person) in a sleeping bag or other item by pulling up the zip.
            16. zipper 1938–
                transitive. To fasten the clothes of (a person) by means of a zip; to enclose (a person) in something by closing it with a zip; to zip (a person) into…
            View in Historical Thesaurus
         4. 2.d.
            1939–
            transitive. figurative. To keep (one's mouth or lips) closed so as not to talk or divulge information. Also in to zip it up: to stop talking. Frequently used in commands to stop talking, as in zip it up, zip up your lip. Cf. sense 2d, which is more common.
            1. 1939

               > The night Joe Abreau, Oakland third baseman, got put out of the ball game by Umpire Ray Snyder last week, his girl friend was listening to the broadcast over the radio and sent him the following telegram: ‘Zip up your lip, fresh guy. Love.’

               Los Angeles Times 9 June i. 24/1
            2. 1999

               > While his conscience snacks on him, that damn expensive watch he bought and Lizzie's credit cards need to be paid up, so he zips up his mouth.

               Y June 84/1
            3. 2015

               > If you can't say anything positive, zip it up.

               J. Osteen, Power of I Am ii. 31

## Compounds & derived words

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1. zipping, n. 1868–
   The action of moving briskly with a sharp…

1. zipper, n. 1923–
   Chiefly North American. A fastening device for…

1. unzip, v. 1927–
   transitive. To unfasten (a bag, item of clothing…

1. zip-up, adj. & n. 1927–
   Esp. of an item of clothing: fastened by means of…

1. zipped, adj. 1931–
   Of a garment, bag, or other item: fastened by…

1. rezip, v. 1936–

1. zip line, n. 1970–
   An inclined cable or rope stretched between two…

1. 1929–
   Combining with adverbs to form adjectives with the sense ‘that can be zipped in the specified manner or direction’, as in zip-down, zip-in, zip-off, zip-on, zip-out, etc.
   See also zip-up adj.
   1. 1929

      > Smart! New! Zip on Togs. Active youngsters like to zip themselves into these sturdy togs.

      Border Cities Star (Windsor, Ontario) 13 November 2/6 (advertisement)
   2. 1934

      > A smart suede leather jacket with a Zip-In wool lining.

      Waterbury (Connecticut) Evening Democrat 16 November 9/7 (advertisement)
   3. 1940

      > 3-heat pad with zip-off cover and asbestos lining.

      Defiance (Ohio) Crescent-News 22 February 3 (advertisement)
   4. 1962

      > He'd left his luggage..one of the zip-over bags.

      ‘A. Gilbert’, No Dust in Attic v. 63
   5. 1963

      > Enter the Chesterfield in Black Tweed..with warm acrylic pile zip-out liner.

      New Yorker 26 October 6
   6. 1971

      > [Breeches with] zip-down side to allow putting on over boots and crampons.

      C. Bonington, Annapurna South Face 241
   7. 1974

      > Zip-off mink £925, extra maxi piece £300.

      Harpers & Queen September 36/2
   8. 2015

      > The zip-off mattress pillowtop..can be swapped, cleaned or, if necessary, discarded.

      Wall Street Journal 2 May d4/4

zip, v.¹ was revised in March 2021.

zip, v.¹ was last modified in December 2024.