zip, n.1 1. [late 19C+] a grade or mark of zero; also of sports scores. 2. [1950s+] nothing. 3. [1960s+] zero, used in specifying the maximum length of a sentence, e.g. zip-five, from 0–5 years; zip-ten, 0–10 years etc. 4. [1970s+] an insignificant person; an unpleasant person with no good qualities. 1 sub-entry