zigzag

1 of 4

noun

zig·​zag ˈzig-ˌzag 

: 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

zigzaggy

ˈzig-ˌza-gē 

adjective

zigzag

2 of 4

adverb

: in or by a zigzag path or course

zigzag

3 of 4

adjective

: having short sharp turns or angles

a zigzag trail

zigzag

4 of 4

verb

zigzagged; zigzagging

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

Synonyms

Verb

• weave
• duck

Examples of zigzag in a Sentence

Noun

The kids were running in circles and zigzags around the yard.

He's wearing a shirt with red zigzags on it.

Verb

We saw a motorcycle zigzagging on the highway.

The player with the ball zigzagged back and forth down the field.

A dirt road zigzags up the steep hill to our cabin.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

What to do in Nantucket Head to the Nautilus for its stand-out cocktails and fusion menu that zigzags from Sichuan-style dandan noodles to tuna poké. —Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 2 Oct. 2025

In my 526-square-foot Mansion Suite, the showstopper was the green room divider, separating the boudoir from the living room, which was complete with a lounge chair dolled up in a very Missoni-like zigzag pattern underneath that colorful Murano glass chandelier. —Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025

Adjective

Any number of odd, zigzag examples can be used to make the case that legislative districts in Wisconsin are excessively gerrymandered. —Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 17 Nov. 2023

Verb

The run started off a little frustrating — Harlem was zigzagging everywhere. —Sheck Mulbah, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

The rugged, zigzagging massif is the result of the collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates about 100 million years ago and later massive glacial activity in the Pleistocene epoch. —Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French

First Known Use

Noun

1712, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

circa 1730, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1750, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1777, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

zigzag

1 of 4 noun

zig·​zag ˈzig-ˌzag 

: one of a series of short sharp turns, angles, or changes in a course

also : something having the form or appearance of such a series

zigzag

2 of 4 adverb

: in or by a zigzag path or course

zigzag

3 of 4 adjective

: having short sharp turns or angles

zigzag

4 of 4 verb

zigzagged; zigzagging

: to form, move along, or consist of a zigzag course