zoom
/zuːm/ (bre, ipa) · [zˈum] /zuːm/ (ame, ipa) · [zˈum] /ˈzüm/ (ame, mw)
zoom — noun
1. a widely used video-conferencing service through which individuals and groups ca
a widely used video-conferencing service through which individuals and groups can see and hear one another in real time across various digital devices connected to the internet
The Watanabe family uses Zoom every Sunday to talk with relatives in Osaka.
collocation: use Zoom + [purpose]
Our school moved all classes onto Zoom during the winter break.
Rania set up a Zoom link for the project team before the deadline.
Zoom became a common way for book clubs and yoga groups to meet online.
- video-conferencing software
generic term; Zoom is one specific brand
- video-calling app
broader category that includes Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, etc.
文法句型
on Zoom
via Zoom
用法筆記
Capitalized as a brand name in formal writing, but frequently lowercased in informal use.
常見錯誤
2. a camera or microscope lens that can change focal length smoothly, making the su
a camera or microscope lens that can change focal length smoothly, making the subject appear closer or farther away without needing to swap lenses
Vikram attached a zoom lens to his camera before the wildlife trip.
collocation: attach a zoom lens to [device]
Modern smartphone cameras include a built-in zoom lens for closer shots.
The photographer switched to a zoom lens so she could frame the mountain peak.
A zoom lens makes it easy to take both wide group photos and close-up details.
- variable-focal-length lens
technical term for a zoom lens in optics and engineering
- telephoto zoom
a zoom lens designed for distant subjects
- prime lens
a lens with fixed focal length that does not zoom
文法句型
a zoom lens
with a zoom lens
用法筆記
Commonly contrasted with a 'prime lens' (fixed focal length) in photography discussions.
常見錯誤
zoom — verb
- zoompresent simple I / you / we / they
- zoomshe / she / it
- zoomedpast simple
- zooming-ing form
1. to travel or rush somewhere very fast, frequently producing a buzz or hum as a r
to travel or rush somewhere very fast, frequently producing a buzz or hum as a result of the speed
Yuna zoomed past the other runners on the final lap of the race.
pattern: zoom past + [person/thing]
A police car zoomed down the highway with its lights flashing.
The children zoomed around the playground on their scooters until dark.
Esme zoomed through her homework so she could go out with friends.
A small drone zoomed over the garden, startling the sleeping cat.
文法句型
zoom + adverb/preposition (past / down / around / off / through)
用法筆記
Frequently paired with a direction word (past, down, around, through, off) to indicate the path of movement.
常見錯誤
2. to rise dramatically in a short period, used especially of financial figures, ma
to rise dramatically in a short period, used especially of financial figures, market prices, sales figures, or numerical values
Stock prices zoomed after the company announced a new product launch.
subject: prices / shares + zoom
The cost of fresh fruit zoomed during the winter months last year.
Online sales zoomed in the week before Chinese New Year.
Electricity bills zoomed after the heatwave hit the city.
Property values in the area have zoomed since the new train station opened.
文法句型
prices / sales / values zoom
用法筆記
Subject is almost always a numerical quantity — prices, costs, sales, profits, values, or rates. Not used for small or gradual increases.
常見錯誤
3. to join or hold a live video conversation over the internet using the Zoom appli
to join or hold a live video conversation over the internet using the Zoom application, typically for work, school, or social contact
Jiwoo zooms with her study group every Tuesday evening before the exam.
pattern: zoom with + [person/group]
Our team zoomed the client for a quick update on the project progress.
transitive use: zoom + [person]
The grandparents learned to zoom so they could see their new grandson.
Constanza zoomed into the meeting from a coffee shop in Taipei.
- video-call
generic term for any video conversation, not brand-specific
- FaceTime
Apple's video-calling service; similarly used as a verb for Apple users
文法句型
zoom with + person
zoom + person
zoom into + event
用法筆記
Technically a brand name used as a verb; increasingly common in informal and workplace English. Transitive use ('zoom someone') is informal.
常見錯誤
4. to adjust the focal length of a camera, microscope, or other optical device so t
to adjust the focal length of a camera, microscope, or other optical device so that the target image grows larger or smaller while staying in clear focus
Mark zoomed the camera lens until the distant lighthouse filled the frame.
pattern: zoom + [device] lens
The biologist zoomed the microscope in to examine the tiny bacteria.
pattern: zoom [device] in/out
Élise zoomed out to fit the whole group into the photograph.
Eric turned the lens ring and zoomed to capture the full moon.
- adjust the focal length
technical phrasing; more formal than zoom
- magnify
to make something appear larger, but without the smooth transition of a zoom lens
- fix the focal length
to keep the lens at a single focal length without zooming
文法句型
zoom + lens/device + in/out
zoom in/out
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'focus': zoom changes the image size (closer or farther), while focus adjusts sharpness. The object is typically the lens or device, not the target.