1. noun Nothing; zero. A: "Did any payments come through today?" B: "Zip. I don't know how we're going to pay our rent." I knew I did horribly on that test, but I can't believe I actually scored zip.

2. noun Energy; vitality; vigor. The self-help book promises to put some zip back into your marriage. Come on, put a little zip in your step!

3. noun Speed. Wow, for such a tiny car, it's got a lot of zip!

4. verb To move with great speed. He zipped past me before I could ask him about our paychecks. I just need to zip to the bank and deposit this check.

1. To pass physically by (someone or something) with great speed. He zipped by before I could ask him about our paychecks. The police cars zipped by our house in pursuit of the criminals.

2. Of time, to pass very easily or pleasantly, as if going fast. Wow, the afternoon completely zipped by! Being stuck inside with the kids when it's raining can be a drag, but try coming up with inventive new games to play with them and the day will zip by.

3. To visit someone or some place for a brief period of time or for a particular purpose. Mary said she'd zip by for a quick visit. I just want to zip by the bank on the way home to deposit this check.

1. To move very speedily. I used to see him zipping along on his motorbike each morning. The runners zipped along on the race course.

2. To get moving; to leave promptly. You zip along and try those problems on your own—if you still have questions, we can go over them tomorrow during my office hours. I had better zip along before the bank closes.

1. To move through something or some place with great quickness. He zipped through the office and out the door as soon as the clock struck five. She zipped through the streets in his bicycle to deliver the package.

2. To complete, accomplish, or work through something with great speed or ease. Don't just zip through the book like that, or you won't remember anything that happens a week later. Thanks to all my studying, I was able to zip through the test in less than an hour.