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

Verb

• dodge
• duck
• jink
• sidestep
• slalom
• weave

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

In summer the red-speckled stems have a zigzag pattern, which bear white drooping flowers with leaves that are shield-shaped with a flat base. —Martha Proctor, Mercury News, 1 May 2025

Male carpenter bees typically have a zigzag flight pattern and aggressively defend their territory, while female carpenter bees focus on stocking the nest with food. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2025

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

In his zigzagging approach to ending the war in Ukraine, Trump has changed his frustration — for now — from Ukraine’s leader to Vladimir Putin. —Michael Crowley, New York Times, 2 May 2025

As rain pours over a lake, the electric charge zigzags through the sky for an otherworldly brawl in a movie that consistently delivers in-your-face visual spectacle. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French

First Known Use

Noun

1712, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

circa 1730, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1750, 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