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gig

noun (1)
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\ ˈgig How to pronounce gig (audio) \

Definition of gig

 (Entry 1 of 9)

: a job usually for a specified time especially : an entertainer's engagement

gig

verb (1)
gigged; gigging

Definition of gig (Entry 2 of 9)

intransitive verb

: to work as a musician gigged with various bands — Downbeat

gig

noun (2)

Definition of gig (Entry 3 of 9)

: gigabyte

gig

noun (3)

Definition of gig (Entry 4 of 9)

1a : a long light ship's boat
b : a rowboat designed for speed rather than for work
2 : a light 2-wheeled one-horse carriage
3 : something that whirls or is whirled: such as
a : a 3-digit selection in a numbers game
b obsolete : top, whirligig
4 : a person of odd or grotesque appearance

gig

verb (2)
gigged; gigging

Definition of gig (Entry 5 of 9)

intransitive verb

: to travel in a gig

gig

noun (4)

Definition of gig (Entry 6 of 9)

1 : a pronged spear for catching fish
2 : an arrangement of hooks to be drawn through a school of fish in order to hook their bodies

gig

verb (3)
gigged; gigging

Definition of gig (Entry 7 of 9)

transitive verb

1 : to spear with a gig
2a chiefly Western US : spur, jab
b : goad, provoke

intransitive verb

: to fish with a gig

gig

noun (5)

Definition of gig (Entry 8 of 9)

: a military demerit

gig

verb (4)
gigged; gigging

Definition of gig (Entry 9 of 9)

transitive verb

: to give a military gig to

First Known Use of gig

Noun (1)

1926, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1937, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1987, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb (2)

1807, in the meaning defined above

Noun (4)

1722, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (3)

1803, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (5)

circa 1941, in the meaning defined above

Verb (4)

circa 1941, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for gig

Noun (1)

origin unknown

Noun (3)

Middle English -gyge (in whyrlegyge whirligig), of unknown origin

Noun (4)

short for earlier fizgig, fishgig, of unknown origin

Noun (5)

origin unknown

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Cite this Entry

“Gig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gig. Accessed 13 Jul. 2020.

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More Definitions for gig

gig

noun
\ ˈgig How to pronounce gig (audio) \

Kids Definition of gig

1 : a long light boat
2 : a light carriage having two wheels and pulled by a horse

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More from Merriam-Webster on gig

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gig

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with gig

Spanish Central: Translation of gig

Nglish: Translation of gig for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of gig for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gig

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