zigzag

noun zig·zag \ ˈzig-ˌzag \

|Updated on: 23 Jun 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

One of the first people to pull off this feat, a photographer from Philadelphia named William Nicholson Jennings, explicitly set out to prove the inaccuracy of the conventional lightning zigzag.

— steph yin, New York Times, "Do You Know What Lightning Really Looks Like?," 11 June 2018
The third sculpture has been carved and notched into a jaunty zigzag that hints at a hip-swaying human torso.

— leah ollman, latimes.com, "Marvelous or maddening? In Cameron Platter's show, it depends on which way you face," 4 June 2018
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

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

The frigid building buzzed with workers on forklifts zigzagging across slick concrete floors, stacking orders waiting to be picked up.

— robin mcdowell, Washington Post, "AP Investigation: Fish billed as local isn’t always local," 14 June 2018
The frigid building buzzed with workers on forklifts zigzagging across slick concrete floors, stacking orders waiting to be picked up.

— chicagotribune.com, "'Sustainably caught' seafood? Nationwide distributor's murky supply chain exposed," 14 June 2018
Roger went back to tending the net, and Milton continued zigzagging across the bay.

— porter fox, WSJ, "A Seafood Hater Chases Fish in Maine," 6 June 2018
Start with two zigzag parts to create a middle section.

— stasha harris, Cosmopolitan, "This Zigzag Stitch Ponytail Absolutely Slays," 2 Mar. 2018
Earlyne Sheets crossed the Atlantic to England on the Queen Elizabeth in 1943, the passenger liner zigzagging to avoid German submarines.

— sig christenson, San Antonio Express-News, "At 100, Army nurse looks back on D-Day," 3 June 2018
Andy Shay was almost floating around Gillette Stadium, hugging assistants and players, zigzagging through crowds as Yale’s beloved bulldog mascot, Handsome Dan, barked and jumped beside him.

— mike anthony, courant.com, "Mike Anthony: Yale Lacrosse Championship Celebrated By Coach Andy Shay, Savored By AD Tom Beckett," 29 May 2018
Large cracks zigzagged on the pavement around his house and on the concrete deck of the outdoor pool.

— david montero, latimes.com, "In Hawaii, life goes on under the volcano, even as it spews lava and threatens to explode," 13 May 2018
Preckwinkle also favored Degnen’s nomination over Fritchey in the 12th District, which zigzags from downtown to the Northwest Side.

— hal dardick, chicagotribune.com, "Despite pop tax debacle, Preckwinkle prevails across the board on election night," 23 Mar. 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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