jig

1 of 2

noun

ˈjig 

1

a

: any of several lively springy dances in triple rhythm

b

: music to which a jig may be danced

2

: trick, game

—used chiefly in the phrase the jig is up

3

a

: any of several fishing devices that are jerked up and down or drawn through the water

b

: a device used to maintain mechanically the correct positional relationship between a piece of work and the tool or between parts of work during assembly

c

: a device in which crushed ore is concentrated or coal is cleaned by agitating in water

jig

2 of 2

verb

jigged; jigging

intransitive verb

1

a

: to move with rapid jerky motions

b

: to dance a jig

2

: to fish with a jig

transitive verb

1

: to dance in the rapid lively manner of a jig

2

a

: to give a rapid jerky motion to

b

: to separate (a mineral or ore from waste) with a jig

3

: to catch (a fish) with a jig

4

: to machine by means of a jig-controlled tool operation

Phrases

in jig time

: in a short time : quickly

Synonyms

Noun

• artifice
• device
• dodge
• fetch
• flimflam
• gambit
• gimmick
• juggle
• knack
• play
• ploy
• ruse
• scheme
• shenanigan
• sleight
• stratagem
• trick
• wile

Verb

• fiddle
• fidget
• jerk
• jiggle
• squiggle
• squirm
• thrash
• thresh
• toss
• twist
• twitch
• wiggle
• wriggle
• writhe

Examples of jig in a Sentence

Verb

We jigged to the fiddle music.

the mother could tell that her little boy had to use the bathroom because he was jigging

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Frogs, jigs, topwaters, spinnerbaits, vibrating jigs, and crankbaits all work well depending on the water color, current, and type of cover. —Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 28 Mar. 2024

In short clips spliced throughout the roughly five minute video, McEntire can be seen doing what can only be described as an awkward combination of a jig and the robot with some jazz hands thrown in. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 26 Mar. 2024

The Rookie actress enjoyed the holiday with the performer, cheering her on and even joining in on a quick jig. —Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 18 Mar. 2024

Both pitching jigs and vertical jigging are winners. —David A. Rose, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024

Get ready to dance a jig to live Irish music and enjoy traditional Irish fare. —Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024

Barry explained that jigs were different than barn dances and peasant music, that music and dancing were the religion of their grandparents and that musicians played for the dancers. —Lori Nickel, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024

The combo of a crisp gluten-free crust and tangy lime filling is sure to put a jig in your step. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024

Caitlin Clark makes right call for her, great one for WNBA: If leagues could dance, the WNBA would be doing a jig right now. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2024

Verb

When jigging, for example, a 5 1/2- to 6 ½-foot medium-light-power fast-action spinning rod, with spinning reel filled with 6- to 8-pound-test braid is most common. —David A. Rose, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024

Trolling or casting to shallower depths will work in the spring and fall, and anglers also can jig for mackinaws through the ice. —Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024

Some of the biggest fish are caught through the ice by jigging small lures tipped with bait. —Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024

Deep trolling or jigging with spoons, tubes, flukes and other minnow-imitating lures — or dead fish — are the best ways to catch lake trout in the summer. —Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024

At the reservoir, which was created when the Fort Peck Dam was built on the Missouri River from 1933 to 1937, anglers can use live bait, set up to six tip-ups, or try jigging for trout under the ice. —Outside Online, 6 Mar. 2023

Inside, soft music played over the sound of ice cubes jigging in a metal shaker by the bar. —Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Feb. 2023

Never comes up short: A high line capacity is ideal for jigging deep or trolling far behind the boat. —Jerry Audet, Field & Stream, 19 July 2023

But this is hardly true when jigging in shallow waters over sandy bottom for fluke, where a low-profile baitcasting reel may be preferable. —Jerry Audet, Field & Stream, 19 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps from Middle French giguer to frolic, from gigue fiddle, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German gīga fiddle; akin to Old Norse geiga to turn aside

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1604, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing jig

• the jig is up
• in jig time

Kids Definition

jig

1 of 2 noun

ˈjig 

1

: a lively springy dance

2

: trick entry 1 sense 1, game

—used chiefly in the phrase the jig is up

jig

2 of 2 verb

jigged; jigging

1

: to dance a jig

2

: to jerk up and down or to and fro