zag

American  

[zag] / zæg /

verb (used without object)

zagged, zagging

1. to move in one of the two directions followed in a zigzag course.

   First we zigged, then we zagged, trying to avoid the bull.

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Usage

What does zag mean? Zag is an informal verb that means to move in one of the directions in a zigzag pattern. A zigzag is a line of alternating, sharp up-and-down turns that form peaks and valleys kind of resembling the letter Z. Zigzag can also be used as a verb meaning to move back and forth while traveling forward in a way that resembles this pattern. The word zig can be used to mean the same thing as zag. However, the two terms are typically used together, in which case they mean to move in opposite directions. This is usually used in a somewhat humorous way. Zig and zag are most commonly used in the context of physical movement, but they are sometimes used in situations in which people keep doing different things, such as when changing their minds back and forth. Example: I threw the ball where I said I was going to throw it, but you zigged when you should have zagged!

Etymology

Origin of zag

First recorded in 1785–95; extracted from zigzag

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

zag zagged zagging

I like the free-associative nature of her humor, the droll precision of her speech, and the fact that, while I know she will zig and zag, I never know which way she’ll turn.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2026

There was a simple reason why Lloyd decided to zag where everyone else in college hoops was zigging.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026

As the sun sets across the city, on every rooftop we can see families and friends, laughing, shouting, watching as kites zig zag, circle, and soar through the city's skies.

From BBC ● Feb. 7, 2026

“Flexibility is key. Zig when others zag: If you go to the most popular places at the most popular times, it's going to be crowded and expensive,” Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst, Bankrate.com.

From Salon ● May 28, 2025

In one hall, they had to zig and zag to opposite sides and sidle along the lockers to avoid the security cameras.

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein

We just know that the court zigged or zagged.

From Slate ● Jun. 2, 2025

Lines to the team merchandise store zigged and zagged around the concourse.

From Washington Times ● Sep. 10, 2023

So owning farm acreage could add diversification to a stock portfolio, as the land value could zig when the market zagged.

From New York Times ● Oct. 8, 2021

To be sure, Arturo Cruz Sequeira’s political biography has zigged and zagged, like his nation’s political history itself.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 31, 2021

Elliot and I zigged and zagged down the campus paths, ducking through shrubbery and doubling back on ourselves whenever possible.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Rivian is zigging while other car companies are zagging.

From Barron's ● Apr. 30, 2026

The energy sector’s monthly returns had only a 74% correlation with the rest of the market, meaning that sometimes it zigged when everything else was zagging — an extraordinarily useful attribute in the real world.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 20, 2026

Highlights of Trent Mosley zigging and zagging and playing at a different level in his final high school game for Santa Margarita.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 21, 2025

Jones is known for zigging when others are zagging.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2025

Up the backstretch, Yummy was zigging and zagging his way through barns with his big paw out, booming his pitch—“Name’s Yummy, not Dummy”—and coming out empty-handed.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand