zigzag

1 of 4

noun

zig·​zag ˈzig-ˌzag How to pronounce zigzag (audio)
: 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 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Even when perfectly still, Garr had so much going on, the zigzags in her character’s emotions and feelings doing all the dancing and keeping the scene alive and spontaneous. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2024 Made in Italy and emblazoned with the brand’s iconic zigzag motif, this gift will instantly elevate their bedtime rituals. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 17 Oct. 2024
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
Some devices could even be observed zigzagging through Range 301, an armored vehicle course, before returning to nearby barracks. Dhruv Mehrotra, WIRED, 19 Nov. 2024 The second set was a huge mess of contradictions and zigzag momentum shifts. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for zigzag 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of zigzag was in 1712

Dictionary Entries Near zigzag

Cite this Entry

“Zigzag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zigzag. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

zigzag

1 of 4 noun
zig·​zag ˈzig-ˌzag How to pronounce zigzag (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on zigzag

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