1
a
: any of several lively springy dances in triple rhythm
b
: music to which a jig may be danced
3
a
: any of several fishing devices that are jerked up and down or drawn through the water
b
: a device used to maintain mechanically the correct positional relationship between a piece of work and the tool or between parts of work during assembly
c
: a device in which crushed ore is concentrated or coal is cleaned by agitating in water
jigged; jigging
1
: to dance in the rapid lively manner of a jig
2
a
: to give a rapid jerky motion to
b
: to separate (a mineral or ore from waste) with a jig
3
: to catch (a fish) with a jig
4
: to machine by means of a jig-controlled tool operation
Synonyms
Examples of jig in a Sentence
Verb
We jigged to the fiddle music.
the mother could tell that her little boy had to use the bathroom because he was jigging
Recent Examples on the Web
Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 28 Mar. 2024
Everly Tatum is following in her parents' foot…jigs.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2024
Watch Just My Luck on Hulu 09 of 11
Once (2007)
Between the Irish step dance and the jig, music — let alone bagpipes — is synonymous with St. Patrick's Day.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024
Frogs, jigs, topwaters, spinnerbaits, vibrating jigs, and crankbaits all work well depending on the water color, current, and type of cover.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 28 Mar. 2024
In short clips spliced throughout the roughly five minute video, McEntire can be seen doing what can only be described as an awkward combination of a jig and the robot with some jazz hands thrown in.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 26 Mar. 2024
The Rookie actress enjoyed the holiday with the performer, cheering her on and even joining in on a quick jig.
—Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024
Both pitching jigs and vertical jigging are winners.
—David A. Rose, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024
Get ready to dance a jig to live Irish music and enjoy traditional Irish fare.
—Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024
David A. Rose, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024
When jigging, for example, a 5 1/2- to 6 ½-foot medium-light-power fast-action spinning rod, with spinning reel filled with 6- to 8-pound-test braid is most common.
—David A. Rose, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024
Trolling or casting to shallower depths will work in the spring and fall, and anglers also can jig for mackinaws through the ice.
—Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
Some of the biggest fish are caught through the ice by jigging small lures tipped with bait.
—Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
Deep trolling or jigging with spoons, tubes, flukes and other minnow-imitating lures — or dead fish — are the best ways to catch lake trout in the summer.
—Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
At the reservoir, which was created when the Fort Peck Dam was built on the Missouri River from 1933 to 1937, anglers can use live bait, set up to six tip-ups, or try jigging for trout under the ice.
—Outside Online, 6 Mar. 2023
Inside, soft music played over the sound of ice cubes jigging in a metal shaker by the bar.
—Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Feb. 2023
Never comes up short: A high line capacity is ideal for jigging deep or trolling far behind the boat.
—Jerry Audet, Field & Stream, 19 July 2023
Noun
This is what makes drop-shots baits, Ned rigs, and Marabou hair jigs very popular and effective for smallies on both northern and southern fisheries.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 28 Mar. 2024
Everly Tatum is following in her parents' foot…jigs.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2024
Watch Just My Luck on Hulu 09 of 11
Once (2007)
Between the Irish step dance and the jig, music — let alone bagpipes — is synonymous with St. Patrick's Day.
—Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024
Frogs, jigs, topwaters, spinnerbaits, vibrating jigs, and crankbaits all work well depending on the water color, current, and type of cover.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 28 Mar. 2024
In short clips spliced throughout the roughly five minute video, McEntire can be seen doing what can only be described as an awkward combination of a jig and the robot with some jazz hands thrown in.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 26 Mar. 2024
The Rookie actress enjoyed the holiday with the performer, cheering her on and even joining in on a quick jig.
—Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024
Both pitching jigs and vertical jigging are winners.
—David A. Rose, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024
Get ready to dance a jig to live Irish music and enjoy traditional Irish fare.
—Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024
Verb
When casting and rip jigging it, the water resistance makes this lure fall ever so slowly, which is a good ploy along the edges of weed beds.
—David A. Rose, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024
When jigging, for example, a 5 1/2- to 6 ½-foot medium-light-power fast-action spinning rod, with spinning reel filled with 6- to 8-pound-test braid is most common.
—David A. Rose, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024
Trolling or casting to shallower depths will work in the spring and fall, and anglers also can jig for mackinaws through the ice.
—Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
Some of the biggest fish are caught through the ice by jigging small lures tipped with bait.
—Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
Deep trolling or jigging with spoons, tubes, flukes and other minnow-imitating lures — or dead fish — are the best ways to catch lake trout in the summer.
—Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
At the reservoir, which was created when the Fort Peck Dam was built on the Missouri River from 1933 to 1937, anglers can use live bait, set up to six tip-ups, or try jigging for trout under the ice.
—Outside Online, 6 Mar. 2023
Inside, soft music played over the sound of ice cubes jigging in a metal shaker by the bar.
—Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Feb. 2023
Never comes up short: A high line capacity is ideal for jigging deep or trolling far behind the boat.
—Jerry Audet, Field & Stream, 19 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jig.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near jig
Cite this Entry
“Jig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jig. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
jig
1 of 2 noun1
: a lively springy dance
2
: trick entry 1 sense 1, game
—used chiefly in the phrase the jig is up
jig
2 of 2 verb
jigged; jigging
1
: to dance a jig
2
: to jerk up and down or to and fro
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