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 of zigzag

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

Their architect, Michael Lehrer, created a striking design with a butterfly roof slanting up in two directions from the center, zigzag walls and picture windows front and back. — Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Buffalo Gap National Grassland is wide open in every direction—no trees, no buildings, nothing to blunt the gusts—and my bike zigzags, rocketing my stomach into my esophagus. — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026

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

Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn hit a flyout to Crow-Armstrong, who zigzagged a bit before making a slightly awkward catch for the first out of the frame. — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

As the firework began to wane after well over a minute, zigzagging streaks of light spread into a canopy of twinkling flashes that resembled stars. — Sacbee.com, 28 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French

First Known Use

Noun

1712, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1754, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1752, 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