zoom
7 synonyms for zoom, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To move very quickly, often with a humming or rushing sound.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
whiz
whizz
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To move very quickly, often with a humming or rushing sound.
“The motorbike zoomed past us on the motorway.”
2. noun
The act or sound of moving very fast.
“There was a zoom and a flash as the car sped by.”
How to use zoom
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
zoom in
zoom past
zoom lens
Etymology
Of uncertain origin, possibly related to Scots and dialectal English words like "soom" or "sweem," meaning to buzz, hum, or spin rapidly.
Full origin of zoom →Frequently asked questions
What does “zoom” mean?
The word “zoom” means to move very quickly, often with a humming or rushing sound. In plain terms, to move fast, to magnify something on a screen, or (informally) to have a video call.
How do you pronounce “zoom”?
“Zoom” is pronounced zoom (/zuːm/ in IPA).
How do you use “zoom” in a sentence?
Here is “zoom” used in a sentence: “The motorbike zoomed past us on the motorway.”
What part of speech is “zoom”?
Depending on how it is used, “zoom” can be a verb and a noun.
Is “zoom” a common word?
“Zoom” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “zoom” have?
“Zoom” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move very quickly, often with a humming or rushing sound.
What is the difference between zoom meaning to move fast and zoom meaning to adjust a camera view?
As a movement verb, zoom means to move very quickly, often with a humming or rushing sound. As a camera or screen term, zoom means to adjust the view so something appears larger or smaller, an unrelated technical meaning.
Is "zoom" used to mean a video call always referring to the Zoom platform?
Using zoom as a verb to mean taking part in a video call specifically references the Zoom platform, though informally people sometimes extend it loosely to video calls in general. Strictly speaking, the meaning is tied to that specific service.
Can zoom be used as a noun?
Yes, zoom can be a noun referring to the act or sound of moving very fast, as in "the car passed with a zoom." This noun usage is less common than the verb forms.
