zig
Americanverb (used without object)
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Even so, many funds that zig when the Agg zags still compare themselves to it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026
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
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
Even better, so far this year energy and resource stocks have zigged while the market has zagged—producing their biggest gains just when bonds, and other stocks, have most taken a pounding.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 9, 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
Building on a long history of community-based healthcare in Watts, the faculty zigged when others in Los Angeles County mostly zagged.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 15, 2020
The flying machine zigged and zagged, dodging eagles and vultures.
From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown
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
Jones is known for zigging when others are zagging.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 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
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
