zoom
/zuːm/
VERB
1. To move rapidly
To travel or move very quickly, often with a humming, buzzing, or rushing sound.
1.1. Fast movement and travel
Used to describe a person, vehicle, or object moving rapidly from one place to another, often with considerable speed or momentum.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- The sports car began to zoom down the highway.
- A motorcycle zoomed past us at incredible speed.
- The children zoomed across the playground during recess.
- The cyclist zoomed around the corner and disappeared from sight.
Related Words
- accelerate
- velocity
- momentum
- sprint
- high-speed
- rapid
- motion
- travel
1.2. Movement with a humming or rushing sound
Used to describe something moving swiftly while producing a characteristic humming, buzzing, whirring, or rushing noise.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- The electric toy car zoomed across the floor with a faint buzzing sound.
- A bullet zoomed past the target with a sharp whizz.
- The drone zoomed overhead, producing a continuous humming noise.
Related Words
1.3. Rapid upward movement of an aircraft
Used specifically to describe an airplane climbing steeply or ascending rapidly into the sky, sometimes in an almost vertical direction.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- descend
- drop
- sink
- plummet
Examples
- The stunt plane zoomed straight up into the sky during the air show.
- The aircraft zoomed upward before performing an impressive aerial maneuver.
- The pilot made the plane zoom toward the clouds in a steep climb.
Related Words
- aircraft
- airplane
- aviation
- altitude
- takeoff
- vertical climb
- flight
VERB
2. To increase or rise sharply
To increase rapidly and significantly in amount, number, value, intensity, or level over a relatively short period.
2.1. Sharp increases in numbers and quantities
Used when prices, sales, statistics, demand, or other measurable quantities rise dramatically within a short period.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- The company's profits zoomed after the successful product launch.
- Housing prices zoomed during the economic boom.
- Online sales zoomed during the holiday shopping season.
- Demand for electric vehicles zoomed over the past year.
Related Words
2.2. Rapid growth in intensity or activity
Used when an activity, process, level of interest, or degree of intensity increases quickly and becomes considerably stronger.
Synonyms
- intensify
- escalate
- accelerate
- mount
- build up
- heighten
- surge
Antonyms
Examples
- Interest in the new technology zoomed after the announcement.
- The excitement among the fans zoomed as the final match approached.
- The company's expansion plans zoomed ahead after receiving additional funding.
Related Words
- intensity
- momentum
- activity
- development
- progress
- expansion
- acceleration
VERB
3. To adjust magnification or focal length
To change the focal length of a camera lens or adjust the magnification of an image or visual display, making the subject appear closer or farther away.
3.1. Magnifying an image or visual subject
Used when adjusting a camera lens, photograph, digital image, or display to make a particular subject or area appear larger and more detailed.
Synonyms
- magnify
- enlarge
- expand
- blow up
- scale up
Antonyms
- reduce
- shrink
- minimize
- diminish
Examples
- The photographer zoomed in to capture the bird's intricate feathers.
- You can zoom in on the photograph to examine the smaller details.
- She zoomed in with her camera to get a closer view of the distant mountain.
Related Words
- magnification
- close-up
- telephoto
- focal length
- camera lens
- resolution
- image
3.2. Reducing magnification to show a wider view
Used when adjusting a camera, photograph, or digital display to make the image appear smaller and reveal a larger surrounding area.
Synonyms
- shrink
- reduce
- minimize
- scale down
- pull back
Antonyms
- magnify
- enlarge
- expand
- blow up
Examples
- The teacher asked the students to zoom out so they could see the entire presentation.
- Zoom out of the map to view the surrounding neighborhoods.
- The photographer zoomed out to include the entire landscape in the picture.
Related Words
- wide-angle
- overview
- field of view
- display
- image
- magnification
- camera lens
VERB
4. To communicate through videoconferencing software
To communicate with another person or group through the Zoom videoconferencing platform, typically using video, audio, and online meeting features.
4.1. Online meetings and video communication
Used informally as a verb meaning to participate in a virtual meeting, video call, or online discussion through videoconferencing software.
Synonyms
- videoconference
- video chat
- video call
- meet online
- conference online
Examples
- We will zoom with the international team tomorrow morning.
- The students zoomed with their teacher to discuss the assignment.
- Let's zoom later this afternoon to review the project.
- She prefers to zoom with her colleagues rather than travel for every meeting.
Related Words
- videoconferencing
- webinar
- virtual meeting
- screen sharing
- video conference
- remote communication
- online collaboration
NOUN
5. A humming or buzzing sound
A continuous or brief humming, buzzing, or whirring noise produced by something moving or operating rapidly.
5.1. Sound of rapid movement or machinery
Used to describe the characteristic high-pitched humming, buzzing, or whirring noise associated with fast-moving objects, motors, or mechanical equipment.
Synonyms
Examples
- We heard the zoom of a racing car as it passed the grandstand.
- The electric motor produced a faint zoom as the machine started operating.
- A sudden zoom in the distance indicated that something was moving at high speed.
Related Words
NOUN
6. A rapid upward movement or ascent
A quick or sudden movement upward, particularly an ascent involving an aircraft or another object moving rapidly into the air.
6.1. Quick ascent into the air
Used to describe a sudden, rapid upward movement or climb, especially during an aircraft's flight or an aerial maneuver.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- The jet's sudden zoom into the sky amazed the spectators.
- The aircraft performed a dramatic zoom before leveling off at a higher altitude.
- The pilot demonstrated a steep zoom during the aerobatic display.
Related Words
- altitude
- takeoff
- aviation
- flight
- aircraft
- vertical movement
NOUN
7. A significant increase
A sudden or substantial increase in quantity, value, intensity, or level, especially over a relatively short period.
7.1. Sudden growth in prices, numbers, or activity
Used informally to describe a rapid and noticeable rise in measurable quantities such as prices, sales, profits, demand, or population.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- The company experienced a significant zoom in sales during the final quarter.
- There was a sudden zoom in demand for electric bicycles.
- The latest announcement triggered a zoom in the company's stock price.
Related Words
- growth
- expansion
- inflation
- momentum
- acceleration
- development
- upswing
NOUN
8. An enlargement of a visual image
An adjustment that increases the magnification of a visual image or a portion of a scene, allowing details to appear larger and closer.
8.1. Magnification and closer viewing
Used to describe an increase in the apparent size of an image or visual subject through a camera lens, optical device, or digital display.
Synonyms
- magnification
- enlargement
- close-up
- expansion
Antonyms
- reduction
- minimization
- shrinkage
Examples
- The camera's zoom revealed details that were invisible to the naked eye.
- A slight zoom made the distant building easier to examine.
- The application provides a smooth zoom for viewing small details in the image.
Related Words
INTERJECTION
9. An expression of rapid movement or change
An interjection used to imitate the sound or suggest the action of something moving rapidly, or to emphasize a sudden and dramatic change.
9.1. Imitating rapid movement
Used as a sound effect or exclamation to represent something shooting, racing, or rushing quickly past or away.
Synonyms
- whoosh
- whiz
- vroom
- zip
- swish
Examples
- Zoom! The little rocket shot into the sky.
- And then, zoom! The race car disappeared around the corner.
- Zoom! The superhero flew across the city.
Related Words
- speed
- motion
- acceleration
- rushing
- buzzing
- sound effect