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.

---

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

Sometimes you’re smart to zig when everybody else zags.

From Barron's ● May 5, 2026

But trying to think along with the team’s decision-makers, I’m guessing the Chargers will look first at hiring a head coach with an offensive background, given that teams frequently zig after they’ve zagged.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2023

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

Some say they get an "aura" just before - that might be visual symptoms such as blind spots or seeing zig zag patterns or flashing lights.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2023

Up ahead, I saw Charlie zig and zag into places Jenny couldn’t keep up with.

From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King

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

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

From Washington Times ● Sep. 10, 2023

During the time I’ve spent reporting on the trial, my life has zigged and zagged.

From Slate ● Mar. 5, 2019

"These folks zigged when the rest of the world zagged. And once you cross that line, there's no coming back. Mark my words."

From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos

Rivian is zigging while other car companies are zagging.

From Barron's ● Apr. 30, 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

Located in Silver Lake, Spesh strives to zag while everyone is zigging, said Jake Kroeger, one of the producers behind the alternative comedy troupe.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 15, 2025

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

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