26984 words

zigzag

5 definitions • 8 examples
1
a line or pattern that looks like a Z or a row of Zs joined together:

Examples:

a zigzag path/road/coastline
a fabric with a zigzag pattern
The kids ran in zigzags around the playground.
2
a situation in which actions, plans, or ideas change suddenly and completely, and then change back again equally suddenly:

Examples:

The Washington Post complained of "two weeks of policy zigzags".
The country seems to have been following a zigzag course between democracy and dictatorship.
3
to make a movement or shape like a zigzag:

Examples:

The road zigzags along a rocky coastline.
4
to change suddenly and completely, and then change back again equally suddenly:

Examples:

The market zigzagged during the day but finished higher in the afternoon.
5
to move by going first in one direction and then in a different direction, and continuing in this way:

Examples:

We zigzagged through the crowds of tourists in the museum.

Navigation