Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense zigzags, present participle zigzagging, past tense, past participle zigzagged
1. countable noun
A zigzag is a line which has a series of angles in it like a continuous series of 'W's.
They staggered in a zigzag across the tarmac.
...a zigzag pattern.
Synonyms: winding, wiggly, wavy, meandering More Synonyms of zigzag
2. verb
If you zigzag, you move forward by going at an angle first to one side then to the other.
I zigzagged down a labyrinth of alleys. [VERB preposition]
Expertly he zigzagged his way across the field.
[Also VERB]
zigzag in British English
(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
4. (usually prenominal)
formed in or proceeding in a zigzag
5.
(of sewing machine stitches) produced in a zigzag by a swing needle used for joining stretch fabrics, neatening raw edges, etc
adverb
6.
in a zigzag manner
verbWord forms: -zags, -zagging or -zagged
7.
to proceed or cause to proceed in a zigzag
8. (transitive)
to form into a zigzag
Derived forms
zigzaggedness (ˈzigˌzaggedness)
noun
zigzagger (ˈzigˌzagger)
noun
Word origin
C18: from French, from German zickzack, from Zacke point, jagged projection; see tack1
zigzag in American English
(ˈzɪgˌzæg)
noun
1.
a series of short, sharp angles or turns in alternate directions, as in a line or course
2.
something characterized by such a series, as a design, path, etc.
adjective
3.
having the form of a zigzag
zigzag stitching
adverb
4.
in a zigzag course
verb transitive, verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈzigˌzagged or ˈzigˌzagging
5.
to move or form in a zigzag
Word origin
Fr, prob. < Ger zickzack, redupl. < zacke, a tooth, sharp prong or point
Examples of 'zigzag' in a sentence
zigzag
Trim allowance and zigzag stitch the raw edges together.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
The edge can be cut and left plain or finished with zigzag stitching.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
Set the sewing machine to a large zigzag stitch and work over the cord.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
Beach deposits move in a zigzag fashion as shown in the diagram below.
Jilbert, John Geography Basic Facts (1983)
We set off up the steep zigzag path.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It is also the spot where a zigzag path leads down to the shore and wooden platforms that are full of sunbeds.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
My advice to you is always move in a zigzag fashion and stay close to trees '.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Ensure you zigzag your route, as this will reduce the impact on your hips and knees.
The Sun (2014)
At that moment triangular shadows will be cast down the 91 steps in a zigzag pattern.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Around 10% of sufferers say these feelings are accompanied by flashing lights or zigzag lines.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Trim away the excess fabric and lace and stitch along the outline again, covering the raw edges with zigzag stitch.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
You then slowly jog back down, ideally using a zigzag pattern or a longer route that will take you about twominutes.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In the main, my investments have gone up in value, but on a zigzag line.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
I was waiting on the zigzag lines outside the school because there was a car in front doing a U-turn.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Of course, there were workers who switched industries and took zigzag job routes, but they were exceptions.
Christianity Today (2000)
Driving along the coastal road, your eyes are so frequently drawn to the spectacle on either side that a zigzag into the oncoming traffic seems dangerously likely.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
A zigzag pattern, for example, would have been a lot easier to defend than a trench going in a straight line.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Chinese translation of 'zigzag'
zigzag
(ˈzɪɡzæɡ)
n(c)
弯(彎)弯(彎)曲曲的线(線)条(條) (wānwān qūqū de xiàntiáo)
vi
曲折前进(進) (qūzhé qiánjìn)
Nearby words of
zigzag
zero in on
zest
zest for life
zigzag
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean
Zimmer frame
(noun)
Definition
a line or course having sharp turns in alternating directions