zigzag

UK: /ˈzɪgzæg/ US: /ˈzɪgˌzæg/ ,(zig′zag′)

Inflections of 'zigzag' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

zigzags

v 3rd person singular

zigzagging

v pres p

zigzagged

v past

zigzagged

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

zig•zag /ˈzɪgˌzæg/   n., adj., adv., v., -zagged, -zag•ging. 
n. [countable]

1. a line or course having 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.

adj. 

3. moving or formed in a zigzag:
   zigzag stitches.

adv. 

4. in a zigzag manner.

v. 

5. to (cause to) be in a zigzag direction, form, or course;
   move in a zigzag direction: [~ + object]
   to zigzag the ships so as to avoid torpedoes.
   [no object]
   to zigzag to the right and then the left.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

zig•zag  (zig′zag′), n., adj., adv., v., -zagged, -zag•ging. 
n. 

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.

adj. 

3. proceeding or formed in a zigzag:
   zigzag stitches.

adv. 

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

v.t. 

5. 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.

v.i. 

6. to proceed in a zigzag line or course.

• German zickzack, gradational compound based on Zacke tack¹
• French
• French; replacing earlier ziczac
• 1705–15

zig•zag′ged•ness  (zig′zag′id nis), n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

zigzag / ˈzɪɡˌzæɡ/ noun

1. a line or course characterized by sharp turns in alternating directions
2. one of the series of such turns
3. 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, -zagged)

1. to proceed or cause to proceed in a zigzag
2. (transitive) to form into a zigzag

Etymology: 18th Century: from French, from German zickzack, from Zacke point, jagged projection; see tack¹

ˈzigˌzagger noun