jagged

[ jag-id ]

adjective

1. having ragged notches, points, or teeth; zigzag:

   the jagged edge of a saw; a jagged wound.

2. having a harsh, rough, or uneven quality.

jagged

/ ˈdʒæɡɪd /

adjective

1. having sharp projecting notches; ragged; serrate

Derived Forms

• ˈjaggedly, adverb
• ˈjaggedness, noun

Other Words From

• jagged·ly adverb
• jagged·ness noun
• un·jagged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jagged¹

1400–50; late Middle English. See jag ¹, -ed ²

Example Sentences

Instead, vascular dementia began to take her down precipitously, mentally and physically, in jagged, irregular steps.

From Los Angeles Times

Imagine running your fingers over the jagged grey marble from which two gladiatrices were hewn thousands of years ago.

From Salon

The adjacent, more jagged lakeshore cliffs generate weaker and less distinct echoes, while the more or less contemporary dwelling sites on the sandy shores of the same water bodies have no audible echoes at all.

From Science Daily

Protected by sheer cliffs, jagged mountains and limestone caves, these plants and animals have thrived deep in the earth.

From BBC

Participants were presented with images of two lines -- one jagged and one straight -- and were asked to imagine running their fingers along each.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• broken
• craggy
• irregular
• rugged
• uneven