Meaning & use
zapped
Last updated
“zapped” is a form of “zap”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Hit, destroyed or killed something quickly with a burst of electricity, light or a weapon.
Grammar: Takes an object: the device zapped the insects.
Patterns
- zap something with something
The gardener zapped the mosquitoes with an electric swatter.
In the game, the hero zapped the aliens with a laser.
Doctors zapped the tumor with a beam of radiation.
verbtransitivecomputing
Deleted something from a computer, or cleared away something unwanted, quickly.
Grammar: Takes an object: she zapped the spam.
Patterns
- zap something from something
He zapped the old files from the hard drive.
She zapped all the junk email in one click.
A software update zapped the bug that crashed the app.
verbtransitive
Heated food quickly in a microwave oven.
Grammar: Takes an object: I zapped the leftovers.
Patterns
- zap something in the microwave
I zapped the soup in the microwave for two minutes.
He zapped a burrito for lunch and ate it at his desk.
She zapped the cold coffee and carried it back to her desk.
verbtransitivefigurative
Drained someone of energy or enthusiasm.
Grammar: Takes an object: the heat zapped our energy.
Patterns
- zap someone's energy
The long meeting zapped my energy for the whole afternoon.
The heat wave zapped the runners' strength.
Constant criticism zapped her motivation.
verbintransitive
Moved quickly or changed channels with a remote control.
Grammar: No object; often with through: he zapped through the channels.
Patterns
- zap through something
- zap between something
He zapped through the channels, looking for the football score.
She zapped between two programs during the commercials.
The children zapped to a cartoon as soon as the news started.
Word forms
| base form | zap |
|---|---|
| third person singular | zaps |
| past tense | zapped |
| -ing form | zapping |
Common combinations
- zapped with a laser
- The warts were zapped with a laser.
- zapped the bugs
- The lamp zapped the bugs all night.
- zapped in the microwave
- The pizza was zapped in the microwave.
- zapped of energy
- I felt zapped of energy after the exam.
- zapped the channel
- Dad zapped the channel again and again.
Synonyms and how they differ
- blasted
- Blasted is louder and more violent, while zapped suggests a quick, neat hit.
- deleted
- Deleted is the neutral, standard word for removing data, while zapped adds a playful, instant sense.
- drained
- Drained works in any style for taking away energy, while zapped is informal and sudden.
- microwaved
- Microwaved is the plain technical word, while zapped suggests a fast, careless heating.
Word family
Commonly confused: zapped or zipped?
zapped vs zipped
Zipped means closed with a zip or moved very fast, and zapped means hit or removed quickly.
Practice
I ____ my leftover pasta in the microwave for ninety seconds.
Choose one answer.
Zapped is the informal verb for heating food quickly in a microwave. Zipped, zonked and zoned do not mean to heat something.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “zapped”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.