zigzag

¹zig·zag

noun \ˈzig-ˌzag\

Definition of ZIGZAG

: one of a series of short sharp turns, angles, or alterations in a course; also : something having the form or character of such a series <a blouse with green zigzags> <endured the zigzags of policy — Richard Bernstein>

— zig·zag·gy \-ˌza-gē\ adjective

Examples of ZIGZAG

1. The kids were running in circles and zigzags around the yard.
2. He's wearing a shirt with red zigzags on it.

Origin of ZIGZAG

French

First Known Use: 1712

Rhymes with ZIGZAG

air bag, beanbag, black-flag, blue flag, brown-bag, chin-wag, dirtbag, dishrag, dog tag, do-rag, fleabag, flight bag, gasbag, grab bag, greylag, handbag, hangtag, ice bag, jet lag, kit bag, mailbag, mixed bag, phone tag, postbag, price tag, ragbag, ragtag, ratbag, red flag, sandbag, schoolbag, seabag, sight gag, Sontag, sweet flag, tea bag, time lag, tote bag, washrag, white flag, wigwag, windbag, workbag

²zigzag

adverb

Definition of ZIGZAG

: in or by a zigzag path or course

First Known Use of ZIGZAG

circa 1730

³zigzag

adjective

Definition of ZIGZAG

: having short sharp turns or angles <a zigzag trail>

First Known Use of ZIGZAG

1750

⁴zigzag

verb

zig·zaggedzig·zag·ging

Definition of ZIGZAG

transitive verb

: to form into a zigzag or move along a zigzag course

intransitive verb

: to lie in, proceed along, or consist of a zigzag course

Examples of ZIGZAG

1. We saw a motorcycle zigzagging on the highway.
2. The player with the ball zigzagged back and forth down the field.
3. A dirt road zigzags up the steep hill to our cabin.

First Known Use of ZIGZAG

1777

Related to ZIGZAG

Synonyms

duck, jink, sidestep, slalom, weave, dodge

Related Words

avoid, elude, escape, evade, parry, shirk, skirt; deflect, turn; slide, slip