zap — to kill or destroy suddenly with electricity or energy
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to kill or destroy suddenly with electricity or energy
Pronunciation (IPA): /zæp/
Example Sentences
- My cat got zapped when it tried to catch the electric fly swatter.
- Dad's favorite hobby is zapping through 200 channels and finding nothing to watch.
- I can zap frozen food in 30 seconds, but it takes 30 minutes to decide what to eat.
zap
VERB[/zæp/]
to kill or destroy suddenly with electricity or energy
The technician zapped the bug with an electric bug zapper.
The laser zapped the target in an instant. (⚡ Electric + 💥 Hit → Zap)
The hero zapped the drone, it snapped apart, and the crowd clapped loudly.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Zap originated in 1929 as an onomatopoeia representing the sound of electric discharge or sudden impact. The word gained widespread popularity through comic books and science fiction literature, where it was used to depict the sounds of lasers and electrical weapons.
Breakdown
Zap is a pure onomatopoeia with no morphological components; the word itself directly mimics the sharp, striking sound associated with electricity or rapid impact.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat got zapped when it tried to catch the electric fly swatter.”
“Dad's favorite hobby is zapping through 200 channels and finding nothing to watch.”
“I can zap frozen food in 30 seconds, but it takes 30 minutes to decide what to eat.”
“The smartphone battery died so fast it felt like someone zapped all the power away.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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