zig

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: one of the sharp turns, angles, or alterations in a zigzag course
b
: one of the short straight lines or sections of a zigzag course at an angle to a zag
2
: a sharp alteration or change of direction (as in a process or policy)
the quick zigs and zags of his international maneuveringsThe New York Times

zig

2 of 2

verb

zigged; zigging

intransitive verb

: to execute a zig
usually contrasted with zag
zigs when others zag

Examples of zig in a Sentence

Verb the fox zigged to the right, and the hounds followed
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
But also like Dead to Me, No Good Deed uses the dramatic underpinnings of its central situation to give juicy, emotionally varied material to a cast of actors making the most out of every predictably outrageous zig and zag. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2024 The first few months of the year in New York theater zig and then zag. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
In other words, a function can only zig and zag so much. Solomon Adams, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2025 More importantly, Honor continues to zig when other Android phones zag, giving us a device that stands out from the crowd a bit. Ben Sin, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for zig

Word History

Etymology

Noun

zigzag

First Known Use

Noun

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of zig was in 1840

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Zig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zig. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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