zigzag

noun zig·zag \ ˈzig-ˌzag \

Updated on: 15 Apr 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

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
Like the gold zigzags in Kaneko's kintsugi ceramics, the Akron show is the product of a happy accident.

— steven litt, cleveland.com, "Akron Art Museum celebrates lyrical abstractions of Jun Kaneko in show opening today (photos)," 17 Feb. 2018
Planting When creating a hedge, shrubs typically are planted in single rows, although a zigzag planting will increase the thickness.

— NOLA.com, "How to plant some privacy: 4 tips for growing a hedge," 27 Jan. 2018
Such delays can make trading difficult as the price zigzags so much.

— phillip molnar, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Bitcoin ATMs popping up around San Diego," 16 Jan. 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 map showed a row of teeth, the route’s red line zigzagging up and down each block for almost two miles.

— hilary oliver, Outside Online, "So I'm Dating an Ultrarunner," 5 Apr. 2018
Unfortunately, until that stretch of highway is paved evenly, vehicles of all sizes will bounce and zigzag when changing lanes.

— wayne k. roustan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Why is I-95 so uneven? | Traffic Q&A," 4 Apr. 2018
Other cars were forced to move out of the allegedly zigzagging vehicle’s path.

— chris harris, PEOPLE.com, "Twin on Trial for Allegedly Steering Car off Cliff to Kill Sister; Lawyer Says It Was 'Accident'," 30 Jan. 2018
The Design Home runs have cleared the pavilion’s zigzag folded metal roof just five times, and only once by a Dodger (Mike Piazza).

— matt jaffe, Los Angeles Magazine, "Why Dodger Stadium Is One of a Kind," 7 Mar. 2018
While Hemsworth, 28, rocked a classic black tuxedo and bow tie for the occasion, Cyrus made a statement in a glittery silver Moschino gown with zigzag pink ruched insert.

— stephanie petit, PEOPLE.com, "Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus Get All Dolled Up for Date Night at Oscars Parties," 5 Mar. 2018
UConn spent much of the game zigzagging downcourt, a wave of players with options, and Tulane was helpless in trying to stop it.

— mike anthony, courant.com, "UConn Races And Powers Its Way Past Tulane, 91-47," 21 Feb. 2018
As models came zigzagging out of the corridor, the light reflected off the shiny satins and glossy patents, taking on new tones altogether.

— sam reed, The Hollywood Reporter, "At Sies Marjan and Zimmermann, More Is More," 13 Feb. 2018
What distinguishes Takahata’s movies are their zigzagging motions, their meandering paths that do not call attention to their meanders.

— carlos valladares, San Francisco Chronicle, "For Studio Ghibli devotees, a fantasy weekend at the Roxie," 13 Feb. 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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