Words / A1

ZIP-uh/ˈzɪpə/

A zipper is a fastener with two rows of teeth and a slider — the same picture as a British zip, but zipper is more common in American English. Countable: a zipper, zippers. A button is round; a popper (British) is a snap fastener, not teeth. Mix-up: zipper vs zip (British, shorter word) — extra -per; and zipper vs slipper (indoor shoe) — extra s, different meaning.

Meaning

A fastener of two rows of teeth and a slider; more common in American English than zip.

Examples

• “This jacket zipper is broken.”
• “This suitcase zipper will not close.”
• “American signs often say zipper, not zip.”

Good to know

a zipper (mainly American) = British zip. Contrast: button, popper. Mix-up: zip, slipper.

Near in meaning

zip

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