zigzag

noun zig·zag \ ˈzig-ˌzag \

Updated on: 23 May 2018

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

—

zigzaggy

play \ˈzig-ˌza-gē\ adjective

See zigzag defined for English-language learners

See zigzag defined for kids

Examples of zigzag in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of zigzag from the Web

Drop teaspoonfuls of the jam across the surface of the blondie batter, and then gently pull the tip of a paring knife through the jam in one direction and then the other, creating a zigzag/grid pattern on the surface.

— charlotte druckman, sacbee, "In a churn of events, salted butter is back | The Sacramento Bee," 8 May 2018
Carefully smoothed into a plank, the piece was covered front and back with recognizable human faces and hands, along with zigzag lines and other mysterious details.

— andrew curry, Science | AAAS, "This 11,000-year-old statue unearthed in Siberia may reveal ancient views of taboos and demons," 25 Apr. 2018
Section the unbraided hair into three parts with a zigzag pattern.

— stasha harris, Cosmopolitan, "This Zigzag Stitch Ponytail Absolutely Slays," 2 Mar. 2018
The images of suns, stylized landscapes and jaunty zigzag and ripple patterns are more vibrant versions of motifs found in the felt hangings.

— leah ollman, latimes.com, "For Nathan Hayden at CB1 Gallery, the smaller the canvas, the bigger the effect," 13 Mar. 2018
If sandwich making is an art, yellow mustard is the literal paint: Squeeze the stuff in a smooth spiral, try a zigzag across the bread, maybe work on a plop-and-spread technique.

— bon appétit, Bon Appetit, "A Totally Obsessive A-to-Z Guide to Making Sandwiches," 26 Feb. 2018
Vibrant colors, naturally, abound here: Rubik’s-Cube-esque stools; electric purple and yellow zigzags on the tables; teal walls.

— kate washington, sacbee, "Rancho Cordova's Back to the 80's Café is, like, totally rad | The Sacramento Bee," 9 Mar. 2018
The lake that drains backward Even better, the Continental Divide makes a little zigzag in Yellowstone.

— ken jennings, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Lake in Yellowstone That Reaches Two Oceans," 15 Jan. 2018
Mahdavi kept the zigzag marble floor that the previous artist had created, added globe lamps with copper bases, and installed curvaceous furniture of her own design in the layout of a classic brasserie.

— jane mayer, The New Yorker, "India Mahdavi, Virtuoso of Color," 20 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'zigzag.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of zigzag

French

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1712

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

zigzag

adverb

Definition of zigzag

: in or by a zigzag path or course

First Known Use of zigzag

circa 1730

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

zigzag

adjective

Definition of zigzag

: having short sharp turns or angles

a zigzag trail

First Known Use of zigzag

1750

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

zigzag

verb

Definition of zigzag

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

See zigzag defined for English-language learners

Examples of zigzag in a Sentence

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 of zigzag from the Web

There also will be a planter bed installed at Downer Place to match a rain garden recently built at the Galena Boulevard end, and zigzagging white lights will be installed along the length of the mall, about 20 feet off the ground.

— steve lord, Aurora Beacon-News, "Water Street Mall in downtown Aurora getting new look," 7 May 2018
As a result, especially on the congressional maps, the districts zigzag all over the map, condensing Democrats into as few districts as possible.

— kathleen gray, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan gubernatorial candidate's eligibility challenged," 27 Apr. 2018
In an astonishing, zigzagging career that’s been chugging along for five decades, Morrison’s touched on all those points in his sound, but never lost sight of his jazz side.

— morgan enos, Billboard, "A Tour of Van Morrison's Jazzy Side in Honor of New 'You're Driving Me Crazy' Album," 27 Apr. 2018
The place is seriously pink and has an eclectic décor involving bright murals, a spiral staircases, skeletons, stained glass, zigzag pattern on the floor and a high ceiling.

— dewayne bevil, OrlandoSentinel.com, "First look: Voodoo Doughnuts at Universal CityWalk," 26 Mar. 2018
Next, the guide leads everyone to the boiler room in the upper level through a zigzagging metal staircase.

— seattle sketcher gabriel campanario, The Seattle Times, "Take a rainy-day tour of a 111-year-old Seattle steam plant," 10 Mar. 2018
Weingart takes long exposures, sometimes keeping the shutter open more than 10 seconds to capture a lightning bolt's entire zigzagging trajectory.

— laura mallonee, WIRED, "Here's How to Photograph a Lightning Bolt," 25 Apr. 2018
In the house, maximize walking from room to room by speeding up, zigzagging or carrying something.

— beth wood, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Five exercises you can do while caregiving," 24 Apr. 2018
Soon enough, their screens were filled with charts and numbers—reds, yellows, greens—that zigzagged up and down like an E.K.G. or digital seismograph.

— nick bilton, The Hive, "“Threats,” “Ultimatums,” and “Espionage”: Inside Silicon Valley’s Spy Wars," 13 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of zigzag

1777

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

zigzag Synonyms

Synonyms

dodge, duck, sidestep, weave;

deflect, turn;

slide, slip;

ZIGZAG Defined for English Language Learners

zigzag

noun

Definition of zigzag for English Language Learners

: a line that has a series of short, sharp turns or angles

zigzag

verb

Definition of zigzag for English Language Learners

: to move along a path that has a series of short, sharp turns or angles

ZIGZAG Defined for Kids

zigzag

noun zig·zag \ ˈzig-ˌzag \

Definition of zigzag for Students

1 : one of a series of short sharp turns or angles in a line or course

2 : a line, path, or pattern with a series of short sharp angles

zigzag

adverb

Definition of zigzag for Students

: in or by a line or course that has short sharp turns or angles

He ran zigzag across the field.

zigzag

adjective

Definition of zigzag for Students

: having short sharp turns or angles

zigzag

verb

Definition of zigzag for Students

zigzagged; zigzagging

: to form into or move along a line or course that has short sharp turns or angles

Both kids took off, zigzagging around trees and bushes.
—Blue Balliett, Chasing Vermeer

Learn More about zigzag

See words that rhyme with zigzag Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for zigzag Spanish Central: Translation of zigzag Nglish: Translation of zigzag for Spanish speakers

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zigzag

Definition of zigzag

zigzaggy

Examples of zigzag in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of zigzag

zigzag

Definition of zigzag

First Known Use of zigzag

zigzag

Definition of zigzag

First Known Use of zigzag

zigzag

Definition of zigzag

Examples of zigzag in a Sentence

Recent Examples of zigzag from the Web

First Known Use of zigzag

zigzag Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

ZIGZAG Defined for English Language Learners

zigzag

Definition of zigzag for English Language Learners

zigzag

Definition of zigzag for English Language Learners

ZIGZAG Defined for Kids

zigzag

Definition of zigzag for Students

zigzag

Definition of zigzag for Students

zigzag

Definition of zigzag for Students

zigzag

Definition of zigzag for Students

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