zigzag

1 of 4

noun

zig·​zag ˈzig-ˌzag How to pronounce zigzag (audio)
: one of a series of short sharp turns, angles, or alterations in a course
also : something having the form or character of such a series
a blouse with green zigzags
endured the zigzags of policy Richard Bernstein
zigzaggy adjective

zigzag

2 of 4

adverb

: in or by a zigzag path or course

zigzag

3 of 4

adjective

: having short sharp turns or angles
a zigzag trail

zigzag

4 of 4

verb

zigzagged; zigzagging

transitive verb

: to form into a zigzag or move along a zigzag course

intransitive verb

: to lie in, proceed along, or consist of a zigzag course

Examples of zigzag in a Sentence

Noun The kids were running in circles and zigzags around the yard. He's wearing a shirt with red zigzags on it. Verb We saw a motorcycle zigzagging on the highway. The player with the ball zigzagged back and forth down the field. A dirt road zigzags up the steep hill to our cabin.
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
So much of it — the zigzag patterns, the neon, and the bulging forms — feels simultaneously retro and contemporary. Morgan Meier, Curbed, 12 Feb. 2025 Darke is an Arabist who has written extensively on Middle Eastern culture, and her foray into this particular study was sparked by a cryptic zigzag pattern decorating a wall of her own courtyard house in Damascus. David Conrads, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Any number of odd, zigzag examples can be used to make the case that legislative districts in Wisconsin are excessively gerrymandered. Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 17 Nov. 2023
Verb
After exploring the town, discover the 20 beaches that zigzag to the south, each an exclusive oasis of its own. Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 1 Feb. 2025 After ignoring prices for food and energy, which can zigzag sharply from month to month, underlying inflation trends slowed to 3.2% in December. Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for zigzag

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French

First Known Use

Noun

1712, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

circa 1730, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1750, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1777, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of zigzag was in 1712

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Cite this Entry

“Zigzag.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zigzag. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

zigzag

1 of 4 noun
zig·​zag ˈzig-ˌzag How to pronounce zigzag (audio)
: one of a series of short sharp turns, angles, or changes in a course
also : something having the form or appearance of such a series

zigzag

2 of 4 adverb
: in or by a zigzag path or course

zigzag

3 of 4 adjective
: having short sharp turns or angles

zigzag

4 of 4 verb
zigzagged; zigzagging
: to form, move along, or consist of a zigzag course

More from Merriam-Webster on zigzag

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