jig

¹ American  

[jig] / dʒɪg /

noun

1. Machinery. a plate, box, or open frame for holding work and for guiding a machine tool to the work, used especially for locating and spacing drilled holes; fixture.

2. Angling. any of several devices or lures, especially a hook or gang of hooks weighted with metal and dressed with hair, feathers, etc., for jerking up and down in or drawing through the water to attract fish.

3. Mining. an apparatus for washing coal or separating ore from gangue by shaking and washing.

4. a cloth-dyeing machine in which the material, guided by rollers, is passed at full width through a dye solution in an open vat.

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verb (used with object)

jigged, jigging

1. to treat, cut, produce, etc., with a jig.

verb (used without object)

jigged, jigging

1. to use a jig.

2. to fish with a jig.

jig ² American  

[jig] / dʒɪg /

noun

1. a rapid, lively, springy, irregular dance for one or more persons, usually in triple meter.

2. a piece of music for or in the rhythm of such a dance.

3. Obsolete. prank; trick.

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verb (used with object)

jigged, jigging

1. to dance (a jig or any lively dance).

2. to sing or play in the time or rhythm of a jig.

   to jig a tune.

3. to move with a jerky or bobbing motion; jerk up and down or to and fro.

verb (used without object)

jigged, jigging

1. to dance or play a jig.

2. to move with a quick, jerky motion; hop; bob.

idioms

1. in jig time, with dispatch; rapidly.

   We sorted the mail in jig time.

2. the jig is up, it is hopeless; no chance remains.

   When the burglar heard the police siren, he knew the jig was up.

jig ³ American  

[jig] / dʒɪg /

noun

1. (formerly used in communications to represent the letterJ. )

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jig ⁴ American  

[jig] / dʒɪg /

noun

Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.

1. a contemptuous term used to refer to a Black person.

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jig British  

/ dʒɪɡ /

noun

1. any of several old rustic kicking and leaping dances

2. a piece of music composed for or in the rhythm of this dance, usually in six-eight time

3. a mechanical device designed to hold and locate a component during machining and to guide the cutting tool

4. angling any of various spinning lures that wobble when drawn through the water

5. Also called: jigger.  mining a device for separating ore or coal from waste material by agitation in water

6. obsolete a joke or prank

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verb

1. to dance (a jig)

2. to jerk or cause to jerk up and down rapidly

3. (often foll by up) to fit or be fitted in a jig

4. (tr) to drill or cut (a workpiece) in a jig

5. mining to separate ore or coal from waste material using a jig

6. (intr) to produce or manufacture a jig

7. slang to play truant from school

Other Word Forms

• jiggish adjective
• jiglike adjective

Etymology

Origin of jig¹

First recorded in 1855–60; probably akin to jig ², in the sense “jerk to and fro”; origin and interrelationship of these words uncertain

Origin of jig²

First recorded in 1550–60; in earliest sense “kind of dance”; further origin uncertain; perhaps from Middle French giguer “to frolic, gambol,” possibly from an unattested West Germanic verb

Origin of jig⁴

First recorded in 1920–25, of uncertain origin; cf. jigaboo

Explanation

A jig is a lively, festive kind of dance. When you do a jig, you spend a lot of time hopping, kicking, and shuffling your feet. The jig is mainly associated with Ireland and Scotland, and it plays a big role in both traditional Irish dancing and Scottish country dancing. The jig also influenced 20th century African American tap and soft-shoe dance styles. You can also call the type of tune that's played to accompany the dance a jig. The source of jig is most likely the Middle French giguer, "to dance" or "to jump."

Example Sentences

Maresca's relief was palpable as he danced a jubilant jig on the touchline.

From Barron's • Dec. 20, 2025

On “Jaundice,” a stomping upbeat jig with accordion and saxophone reflecting Mr. Ellis’s interest in older folk forms, each drum hit bursts out of the speakers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 2, 2025

But though they’re different in many respects, the two best friends can see right through each other, and there’s a clock ticking until the jig is up.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2025

To that end, there’s another even more capable version of the jig in the room next door, a prototype that staff here hope will be even better.

From BBC • Sep. 5, 2024

After them the goat-legged boy came out and did a grotesque jig whilst one of Yurkhaz’s slaves played on a bone flute.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin