Definition

1. Noun:

   • A rapid upward movement or increase: A sudden, swift rise or ascent, often through the air or in value/quantity.
   • A continuous low-pitched humming or buzzing sound: The sound produced by something moving very fast.

2. Verb:

   • To move or rise rapidly and with power: To ascend, increase, or move forward quickly and often steeply.
   • To move with a continuous low humming or buzzing sound: To travel swiftly, producing such a sound.
   • To move or travel very quickly: To go somewhere or do something with great speed.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The zoom of the jet engine was deafening.
  • We watched the zoom of the rocket as it left the launchpad.

• Verb:

  • The eagle zoomed down from the cliff to catch its prey.
  • Prices have zoomed in the last quarter.
  • A sports car zoomed past us on the highway.

Advanced Usage

• "to zoom in": To focus closely on a subject, either literally with a camera lens or figuratively by examining details.

  • The photographer zoomed in to capture the bird's eye.
  • Let's zoom in on the key issues in this report.

• "to zoom out": To withdraw to a wider view or perspective, opposite of "zoom in".

  • Zoom out on the map so we can see the whole country.
  • We need to zoom out and look at the broader economic trends.

Variants and Related Words

• Zoom lens (n): A camera lens allowing the focal length to be varied, thus making the subject appear closer or farther.
  • She used a zoom lens for wildlife photography.

Synonyms

• Soar: To fly or rise high in the air; to increase rapidly.
• Rocket: To rise or increase very rapidly and suddenly.
• Whiz: To move quickly with a buzzing or humming sound.
• Surge: To increase suddenly and powerfully.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Zoom off: To depart or leave very quickly.

  • He jumped in his car and zoomed off.

• Zoom up: To rise or approach rapidly.

  • The elevator zoomed up to the top floor.

Related Idioms

• Zoom to fame/stardom: To become famous very quickly.

  • The young singer zoomed to stardom after her viral video.

• Zoom through (something): To complete something very quickly.

  • She zoomed through the exam in half the allotted time.

Noun

1. the act of rising upward into the air
2. a rapid rise

Verb

1. rise rapidly
   • the dollar soared against the yen
2. move with a low humming noise
3. move along very quickly