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Synonyms

jigsaw

American  
[jig-saw] / ˈdʒɪgˌsɔ /

noun

  1. Also jig saw an electric machine saw with a narrow blade mounted vertically in a frame, for cutting curves or other difficult lines or patterns.

verb (used with object)

jigsawed, jigsawed, jigsawn, jigsawing

  1. to cut or form with a jigsaw.

adjective

  1. formed by or as if by a jigsaw.

    jigsaw ornamentation.
jigsaw British  
/ ˈdʒɪɡˌsɔː /

noun

  1. a mechanical saw with a fine steel blade for cutting intricate curves in sheets of material

  2. See jigsaw puzzle

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of jigsaw

First recorded in 1870–75; jig 2 + saw 1

Explanation

A jigsaw is a sharp power tool that's used for cutting curvy lines in wood or other materials. While most saws can only cut in a straight line, a jigsaw makes it easier to cut complicated patterns and shapes. If you were making a jigsaw puzzle out of wood, you'd use a jigsaw. In fact, this is where the "jigsaw puzzle," (which is also simply called a jigsaw), got its name. The original meaning comes from the word jig and its sense of "up and down motion," which describes the way a jigsaw moves as it cuts.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Consumer advocates say the Los Angeles complaints are one piece in a nationwide jigsaw of complaints and lawsuits alleging State Farm is unfairly limiting claims payouts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Gibraltar was not covered by the UK's 2021 trade deal with the EU, and the UK has previously described it as the "last piece of the EU exit jigsaw".

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

Like Alcaraz, Poland's Iga Swiatek has six Grand Slam titles to her name, and the Australian Open is the missing piece of the jigsaw.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2026

All the while, Stewart treats the collected imagery of her protagonist’s bruised life like scattered jigsaw puzzle pieces with razor-sharp edges.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

But one final piece of the jigsaw still needed to click into position.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.