zoom

Meanings

1. A humming noise from something moving very fast.
2. A quick ascent.
3. A big increase.
4. An augmentation of a view, by varying the focal length of a lens, or digitally.

1. To move fast with a humming noise.
2. To zoom climb.
3. To move rapidly.
4. To go up sharply.
5. To change the focal length of a zoom lens.
6. To manipulate a display so as to magnify or shrink it.
7. To check someone out; to investigate someone that one is interested in.

1. Representing a humming sound
2. Suggesting something moving quickly
3. Suggesting a sudden change, especially an improvement or an increase

1. To participate in a video teleconferencing call.

1. A video teleconferencing call.

1. To communicate with someone using the Zoom videoconferencing software.
2. Alternative form of zoom (“to participate in a video teleconferencing call”).

1. A videoconference using Zoom.
2. Alternative form of zoom (“a video teleconference call.”).
3. A video teleconference service or website.

Etymology

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”).