What does "zoom" mean?

1. (to move fast) to move very quickly, often with a humming sound. 2. (to magnify an image) to make a picture or a part of a screen look larger or smaller. 3. (video calling) to have a meeting or talk with someone using video software on a computer. 4. (camera feature) a camera lens or setting that makes distant objects look closer. 5. (video meeting) a meeting held over a video call. 6. (fast movement) a word used to describe something moving very quickly.

How do you use "zoom"?

Usually used with 'in' to make larger or 'out' to see more of the scene. Often used as an intransitive verb or with a direct object.

zoom

v. · n. · interj.

US //ˈzum// UK //zˈuːm// zoom

1 to move fast (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to move very quickly, often with a humming sound.

to move at high speed, typically accompanied by a low-pitched humming or buzzing sound.

Example

The racing cars zoomed past the crowd at incredible speeds.

Example

The motorbike zoomed through the narrow alleyway, leaving a trail of dust and a fading roar behind it.
- crawl
- creep
2 to magnify an image (v.)
B1 Intermediate Photography

to make a picture or a part of a screen look larger or smaller.

to adjust the focal length of a lens or manipulate a digital display to change the magnification of an image.

Example

You can zoom in on the map to see the street names more clearly.

Example

The photographer zoomed in to capture the intricate details of the flower's petals without disturbing the insect resting there.

Usage

Usually used with 'in' to make larger or 'out' to see more of the scene.
- magnify
- enlarge

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3 video calling (v.)
B1 Intermediate Informal Computing

to have a meeting or talk with someone using video software on a computer.

to communicate via video teleconferencing, specifically using the Zoom platform or similar software.

Example

We can zoom tomorrow morning to discuss the holiday plans.

Example

The team decided to zoom every Monday morning to ensure everyone remained aligned on the project's shifting priorities.

Usage

Often used as an intransitive verb or with a direct object.

Teacher's tip

While 'Zoom' is a brand name, it is now commonly used as a generic verb for any video call, similar to 'Skype' or 'Google'.
- video call
4 camera feature (n.)
B1 Intermediate Photography

a camera lens or setting that makes distant objects look closer.

an optical or digital facility for changing the magnification of an image.

Example

This phone has a powerful zoom that takes great photos of birds.

Example

The camera's optical zoom allowed the journalist to document the event from a distance without compromising image quality.
- magnification
5 video meeting (n.)
B1 Intermediate Informal Computing

a meeting held over a video call.

an instance of a video teleconference, particularly one conducted on the Zoom platform.

Example

I have another zoom at three o'clock, so I'll be busy then.

Example

After a long day of back-to-back zooms, the employees were suffering from significant digital fatigue.
- video conference
- call
6 fast movement (interj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

a word used to describe something moving very quickly.

an onomatopoeic exclamation used to represent or suggest rapid motion or a sudden increase.

Example

He finished his homework and — zoom — he was out the door.

Example

The magician waved his hand and, zoom, the rabbit had vanished before the audience could even blink.
- whoosh

Etymology 1

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”).

Etymology 2

A genericization of the trademark Zoom, a video teleconferencing software.