zigzag

[ zig-zag ]
See synonyms for: zigzagzigzaggedzigzaggingzigzags on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a line, course, or progression characterized by sharp turns first to one side and then to the other.

  2. one of a series of such turns, as in a line or path.

adjective
  1. proceeding or formed in a zigzag: zigzag stitches.

adverb
  1. with frequent sharp turns from side to side; in a zigzag manner: The child ran zigzag along the beach.

verb (used with object),zig·zagged, zig·zag·ging.
  1. to make (something) zigzag, as in form or course; move or maneuver (something) in a zigzag direction: They zigzagged their course to confuse the enemy.

verb (used without object),zig·zagged, zig·zag·ging.
  1. to proceed in a zigzag line or course.

Origin of zigzag

1
1705–15; <French; replacing earlier ziczac<French <German zickzack, gradational compound based on Zacketack1

Other words from zigzag

  • zig·zag·ged·ness [zig-zag-id-nis], /ˈzɪgˌzæg ɪd nɪs/, noun

Words Nearby zigzag

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use zigzag in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for zigzag

zigzag

/ (ˈzɪɡˌzæɡ) /


noun
  1. a line or course characterized by sharp turns in alternating directions

  2. one of the series of such turns

  1. something having the form of a zigzag

adjective
  1. (usually prenominal) formed in or proceeding in a zigzag

  2. (of sewing machine stitches) produced in a zigzag by a swing needle used for joining stretch fabrics, neatening raw edges, etc

adverb
  1. in a zigzag manner

verb-zags, -zagging or -zagged
  1. to proceed or cause to proceed in a zigzag

  2. (tr) to form into a zigzag

Origin of zigzag

1
C18: from French, from German zickzack, from Zacke point, jagged projection; see tack 1

Derived forms of zigzag

  • zigzaggedness, noun
  • zigzagger, noun

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