zag

1 of 2

noun

ˈzag 

1

a

: one of the sharp turns, angles, or alterations in a zigzag course

b

: one of the short straight lines or sections of a zigzag course at an angle to a zig

2

: zig sense 2

zag

2 of 2

verb

zagged; zagging

intransitive verb

: to execute a zag

—usually contrasted with zig

Synonyms of zag

Verb

• veer
• zig
• curve
• cut

Examples of zag in a Sentence

Verb

the crowd roared as the clown on the bicycle zagged while the other clowns, in hot pursuit, zigged

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Still, a zag could be a prudent play assuming that all things eventually regress to their respective mean. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 20 Sep. 2026

Working with her friend and employer Sam (Sharlene Whyte), a boundary-free partnership that zags between deal points and Sam’s marital woes, Alex wrangles author egos and fends off competitors. — Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026

Verb

What Chris and the writers have always done well is find a way to zig or zag in a way that feels organic. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 June 2026

As other investors zig towards AI, the smart activists will zag down the mountain. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

zigzag

First Known Use

Noun

1793, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1900, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for zag

• ag
• bag
• brag
• dag
• drag
• flag
• gag
• hag
• hagg
• lag
• mag
• nag