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Zinger

n. joyful, energetic playful

What it means

Meaning 1

A clever, striking remark or final line.

Reach for it when praising verbal impact when the wit does not depend on cruelty

The final line was a zinger that made the whole audience laugh.

Meaning 2

Something unusually impressive, surprising, or effective.

Reach for it when giving informal praise to a standout result or feature

The hidden rooftop garden was the tour's final zinger.

Words to choose between 8

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom, and by meaning across. Tap a word to see when it fits.
Meaning 1Meaning 2
playful
everyday
warm
professional
formal
literary

Meaning 1: A clever, striking remark or final line.

  • playful

    one-liner

    Fits when a short self-contained joke is the form

    Careful A zinger can be a pointed response or conclusion rather than a joke.

  • everyday

    comeback

    Fits when a quick reply answers an insult or challenge

    Careful A comeback requires a prior remark and can be hostile.

  • professional

    punchline

    Fits when the ending delivers a joke's main effect

    Careful A punchline belongs to a joke structure, while a zinger can appear anywhere.

  • literary

    quip

    Fits when a brief clever remark is lightly amusing

    Careful A quip is usually gentler and less forceful than a zinger.

Meaning 2: Something unusually impressive, surprising, or effective.

  • playful

    knockout

    Fits when visual or performance impact is exceptional

    Careful Knockout can objectify a person and is too slangy for careful assessment.

  • playful

    showstopper

    Fits when one feature commands attention

    Careful Showstopper emphasizes spectacle and is stronger than many impressive zingers.

  • warm

    standout

    Fits when one item clearly distinguishes itself

    Careful A standout can be unusual without producing surprise or impact.

  • formal

    triumph

    Fits when success after difficulty is the basis for praise

    Careful Triumph is grander and does not capture a zinger's surprising twist.

Opposites 4

  • platitude
  • dud
  • letdown
  • flop

Common phrases 3

  • deliver a zinger

    She could deliver a zinger without turning a colleague into the joke.

  • final zinger

    The essay's final zinger exposes the cost hidden in the slogan.

  • real zinger

    The restored ceiling is a real zinger when the lights come on.

Usage notes

Keep in mind

Zinger can also mean a cutting insult. Praise the wit only when its target and effect are fair.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated