zigzag

American  

[zig-zag] / ˈzɪgˌzæg /

noun

zigzags plural

1. a line, course, or progression characterized by sharp turns first to one side and then to the other.

2. one of a series of such turns, as in a line or path.

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adjective

1. proceeding or formed in a zigzag.

   zigzag stitches.

adverb

1. with frequent sharp turns from side to side; in a zigzag manner.

   The child ran zigzag along the beach.

verb (used with object)

zigzags, present (3rd person singular) zigzagged, past participle, past zigzagging present participle

1. to make (something) zigzag, as in form or course; move or maneuver (something) in a zigzag direction.

   They zigzagged their course to confuse the enemy.

verb (used without object)

zigzags, present (3rd person singular) zigzagged, past participle, past zigzagging present participle

1. to proceed in a zigzag line or course.

zigzag British  

/ ˈzɪɡˌzæɡ /

noun

1. a line or course characterized by sharp turns in alternating directions

2. one of the series of such turns

3. something having the form of a zigzag

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adjective

1. (usually prenominal) formed in or proceeding in a zigzag

2. (of sewing machine stitches) produced in a zigzag by a swing needle used for joining stretch fabrics, neatening raw edges, etc

adverb

1. in a zigzag manner

verb

1. to proceed or cause to proceed in a zigzag

2. (tr) to form into a zigzag

Usage

What does zigzag mean? A zigzag is a line of alternating, sharp up-and-down turns that form peaks and valleys kind of resembling the letter Z.[caption id="attachment_172305" align="alignnone" width="300"] Getty Images. A pattern of zigzags.[/caption]As a noun, zigzag can also refer to a route or path that resembles this kind of pattern, as in The dragonfly moved through the air in a zigzag. Zigzag can also be used as a verb meaning to move back and forth while traveling forward in a way that resembles this pattern, as in The dragonfly zigzagged through the air. As a verb, zigzag is most commonly used in the context of physical movement, but it can be used in situations in which people keep doing different things, such as changing their minds. A much more common term for this is flip-flop. It is also used as an adjective in phrases like zigzag pattern. In sewing, a zigzag stitch is a type of stitch that can be made by a sewing machine, such as to finish the edges of a garment. Some sewing machines use an attachment called a zigzagger to make such stitches. Example: Some animals, like the hare, move in a zigzag pattern when escaping predators, making it harder for them to be caught.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• zigzaggedness
  noun
• zigzagger
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• zigzags
  plural

Participles

• zigzagging
  present
• zigzagged
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• zigzag
  simple
• zigzags
  simple
• have zigzagged
  perfect
• has zigzagged
  perfect
• are zigzagging
  progressive
• am zigzagging
  progressive
• is zigzagging
  progressive
• have been zigzagging
  perfect progressive
• has been zigzagging
  perfect progressive

Past

• zigzagged
  simple
• had zigzagged
  perfect
• was zigzagging
  progressive
• were zigzagging
  progressive
• had been zigzagging
  perfect progressive

Future

• will zigzag
  simple
• will have zigzagged
  perfect
• will be zigzagging
  progressive
• will have been zigzagging
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of zigzag

1705–15; < French; replacing earlier ziczac < French < German zickzack, gradational compound based on Zacke tack ¹

Explanation

The word zigzag describes the shape of a line. A line drawn in a zigzag shape makes a lot of short, sharp turns. The letter Z is a zigzag itself, and a thunderbolt is also often represented as a zigzag. The first turn a zigzag line makes is called a zig, and the second is called the zag. Zigzag can also be a verb. If you're describing how you got lost in the desert, you might say, "I meant to go straight, but then I zigged, and then I zagged." Serpentine describes a line that curves, but the curves are rounded (like a serpent), not short and sharp like a zigzag.

Example Sentences

Appeared in the January 21, 2026, print edition as 'A Star Rapper’s Zigzag Return'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026

The 15-story Art Deco building in Zigzag Moderne is my second favorite building in the world.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 29, 2024

The design style included Zigzag Moderne — characterized by classic zigzag patterns and setbacks, where buildings featured a wide base, becoming narrower as they rose in height.

From New York Times • Oct. 4, 2016

Madsen’s father, Alvin, was the educational adviser for the CCC Camp Hilgard near LaGrande, Camp Zigzag and Camp Wyeth in the Mt.

From Washington Times • Aug. 21, 2016

Zigzag had to be the "weirdest dude" Stanley had ever seen.

From "Holes" by Louis Sachar