zoom
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to move very quickly, often with a humming sound.
v.to move at high speed, typically accompanied by a low-pitched humming or buzzing sound.
Simple“The racing cars zoomed past the crowd at incredible speeds.”
In context“The motorbike zoomed through the narrow alleyway, leaving a trail of dust and a fading roar behind it.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
v.to make a picture or a part of a screen look larger or smaller.
v.to adjust the focal length of a lens or manipulate a digital display to change the magnification of an image.
Simple“You can zoom in on the map to see the street names more clearly.”
In context“The photographer zoomed in to capture the intricate details of the flower's petals without disturbing the insect resting there.”
UsageUsually used with 'in' to make larger or 'out' to see more of the scene.
- 03 B1 Intermediate
v.to have a meeting or talk with someone using video software on a computer.
v.to communicate via video teleconferencing, specifically using the Zoom platform or similar software.
Simple“We can zoom tomorrow morning to discuss the holiday plans.”
In context“The team decided to zoom every Monday morning to ensure everyone remained aligned on the project's shifting priorities.”
UsageOften used as an intransitive verb or with a direct object.
Teacher's tipWhile 'Zoom' is a brand name, it is now commonly used as a generic verb for any video call, similar to 'Skype' or 'Google'.
Synonymsvideo call - 04 B1 Intermediate
n.a camera lens or setting that makes distant objects look closer.
n.an optical or digital facility for changing the magnification of an image.
Simple“This phone has a powerful zoom that takes great photos of birds.”
In context“The camera's optical zoom allowed the journalist to document the event from a distance without compromising image quality.”
Synonyms - 05 B1 Intermediate
n.a meeting held over a video call.
n.an instance of a video teleconference, particularly one conducted on the Zoom platform.
Simple“I have another zoom at three o'clock, so I'll be busy then.”
In context“After a long day of back-to-back zooms, the employees were suffering from significant digital fatigue.”
Synonyms - 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
interj.a word used to describe something moving very quickly.
interj.an onomatopoeic exclamation used to represent or suggest rapid motion or a sudden increase.
Simple“He finished his homework and — zoom — he was out the door.”
In context“The magician waved his hand and, zoom, the rabbit had vanished before the audience could even blink.”
Synonyms
Uncertain. The verb was first attested c. 1892, as a noun in 1918 and as an interjection in 1942. Apparently related to Scots soom (“to buzz, hum”), dialectal English and Scots soom, swoom, sweem (“to spin or twirl at high speed”). Compare also dialectal English sweem (“to swoon, become dizzy or faint”).
A genericization of the trademark Zoom, a video teleconferencing software.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.