Zooming

Zooming adjusts the focal length on the lens, so that the subject gradually appears closer or farther away, like a magnification.  In general, going from a lower to a higher focal length is zooming in, and decreasing your focal length is zooming out. It's different than a dolly shot because a zoom is manipulated by the camera, whereas a dolly shot is actually moving the camera closer or farther away from the subject, therefore changing the physical distance. Since dolly shots don't require any zooming, they can be used with a lens that doesn't have that feature, like a prime lens. Zooming can be used effectively in certain instances like comedic effect or to enhance horror, because the technique is outdated and thus can make a scene appear funny, or sometimes eerie. However there are cases where it's ineffective, because our eyes can't naturally zoom like a camera, so a cinematographer must be selective with the zoom and only use it when it has a purpose.