[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/zinger/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [Z](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/z/) / zinger

# zinger

noun (a zinger, zingers)

«zinger» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (informal) A zinger is a quick, clever and funny remark, often a sharp joke at someone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/Z/zinger/#m1)
2. (informal) A zinger can also be something surprising or striking, like a zinger of a question. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/Z/zinger/#m2)

### In the lessons

In everyday talk and comedy it names a witty one-liner. In stories it shows a sharp, funny character. Phrases: deliver a zinger, a real zinger.

### Examples

- Grandma came back with a real zinger that made everyone laugh. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/Z/zinger/#x1)
- The comedian had a zinger for every heckler. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/Z/zinger/#x2)
- The quiz ended with a zinger of a question. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/Z/zinger/#x3)
- He thought of the perfect zinger an hour too late. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/Z/zinger/#x4)
- A good zinger is funny without being cruel. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/Z/zinger/#x5)
- Her speech ended with a zinger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/Z/zinger/#x6)

### Note

Informal, mainly American but understood everywhere. Countable. A zinger at someone can hurt; be kind.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «zinger» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/Z/zinger/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«zinger» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/zinger.html) on Mova free.