zag

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: one of the sharp turns, angles, or alterations in a zigzag course
b
: one of the short straight lines or sections of a zigzag course at an angle to a zig
2

zag

2 of 2

verb

zagged; zagging

intransitive verb

: to execute a zag
usually contrasted with zig

Examples of zag in a Sentence

Verb the crowd roared as the clown on the bicycle zagged while the other clowns, in hot pursuit, zigged
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Pairings that go down easy and offer just enough zag. Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 July 2025 Going forward, the plot zigs and zags, dipping in and out of each character’s life. Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
From there, however, Alcaraz zags where the others zig, inverting one of the fundamentals of tennis probability. Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 15 May 2025 The professor-like spins of senior Peyton Levine, meanwhile, offer plenty of zig and zag for the Foxes. Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for zag

Word History

Etymology

Noun

zigzag

First Known Use

Noun

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1900, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zag was in 1793

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Zag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zag. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!