zig

American  

[zig] / zɪg /

verb (used without object)

zigged, zigging

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

   He zigged when he should have zagged.

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Usage

What does zig mean? Zig 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 zag can be used to mean the same thing as zig. 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 zig

First recorded in 1785–95; extracted from zigzag

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

zig zigged zigging

This is the job bonds are supposed to do: zig when equities zag.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 15, 2026

Tilt Reiner’s filmography one way and it appears to be all about opposition, a restless yen to zag when others assumed he’d zig.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 15, 2025

When used to supplement a U.S.-centric portfolio, these ETFs could zig when the S&P 500 zags.

From Barron's ● Oct. 22, 2025

That zag, when the Trojans expected a zig, created a career game for tailback Dillon Johnson and preserved the undefeated season.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 6, 2023

Whenever he approached, I shouted, “Turn!” and though Samir wheezed with exhaustion, he managed to zig or zag at the last second.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

Energy and resource stocks have zigged while the market has zagged.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 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

It’s as if Streisand’s had heard about the bonkers approach of those other dogs and zigged, sitting patiently as Streisand doled a morsel or two to each.

From New York Times ● Nov. 7, 2023

For the remaining 16-plus miles, we zigged and zagged at no discernible angle until we reached the ocean.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 5, 2023

This conversation zigged and zagged like the rickrack on Mattie’s dress.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson

If nothing else, zigging when others zag is often wise.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

Rivian is zigging while other car companies are zagging.

From Barron's ● Apr. 30, 2026

This is a huge blow to the idea that bitcoin is somehow something different, a supposedly uncorrelated asset that may help diversify your portfolio by sometimes zigging when everything else zags.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 21, 2025

And no airline that already exists has any apparent interest in zigging while the market zags.

From Slate ● Oct. 9, 2025

Now that they were on level ground, zooming through Fry, zigging around frozen people and things, they found their bikes maintained only the narrowest lead over the creature.

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles