zipper
zipper Lexical Profile
zipper Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American A fastening device consisting of two parallel rows of metal or plastic teeth that interlock when pulled together by a sliding tab, commonly used on clothing and bags.
"She pulled her jacket tight and pulled up the zipper to block out the cold wind."
• verb
American To fasten, secure, or enclose an item using a zipper.
"He quickly zippered his backpack before running to catch the bus."
Word Nuance & Usage
In North American English, 'zipper' is the standard term for the fastener, whereas British and Commonwealth English speakers typically use the word 'zip'.
• Rhymes for zipper
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined by the B.F. Goodrich Company in 1923 as a registered trademark for rubber boots equipped with the fastener, allegedly named for the 'zip' sound the sliding mechanism makes.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.