zoom

A camera or screen feature that makes an image appear closer or larger.

• This camera has a powerful zoom.
• Use the zoom to see the bird.
• Digital zoom can reduce picture quality.

Similar words: magnification

Common phrases: digital zoom, optical zoom, camera zoom

A low, continuous sound made by something moving very fast.

• We heard the zoom of passing cars.
• The motorcycle’s zoom broke the silence.
• A distant zoom came from the highway.

Similar words: hum, whir

Common phrases: zoom of traffic, a sudden zoom

To move very quickly.

• Cars zoom past our house.
• The children zoomed around on their bikes.
• A small boat was zooming across the lake.

How to use it: zoom past someone/something (A cyclist zoomed past us.)

Similar words: speed, race, rush

Common phrases: zoom past, zoom away, zoom around

To make something on a screen look bigger or smaller.

• Zoom in to read the text.
• I zoomed out to see the whole map.
• You can zoom using the mouse wheel.

How to use it: zoom in on something (Zoom in on the island to see its roads.); zoom out (Zoom out to display the entire page.)

Common phrases: zoom in, zoom out, zoom in on

To adjust a camera lens so that things look nearer or farther away.

• Zoom in on the bird.
• The cameraman zoomed out to show the crowd.
• She zoomed slowly towards the actor’s face.

How to use it: zoom in on something (Zoom in on the building.); zoom out (He zoomed out to include the whole room.)

Common phrases: zoom in, zoom out, zoom slowly

To rise very quickly to a much higher level.

• Prices zoomed last month.
• Fuel costs are zooming up.
• Shares zoomed after the company announced strong profits.

Similar words: soar, surge, shoot up

Opposites: plummet

Common phrases: prices zoom, zoom up, profits zoom, sales zoom