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🛣️ A zigzag road ↩️ To zigzag 🎢 A simple ride
to switchback

to switchback

1 6.4
To move along a path that zigzags up or down a slope
  • verb
  • /ˈswɪtʃˌbæk/
translation icon : zigzaguear
  • They wound and switchbacked across a steep ravine wall, with Southside above and the river below.
  • the trail switchbacked
  • switchback up a steep

Examples

  • The road wound a half mile on the ridge, then switchbacked for the house.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • The narrow trail switchbacked up the bank to the forest.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • I lived in a house hidden behind 2-3 story high cypress trees, switchbacked on the street.

    Blog text (32)

  • Switchbacking, it climbs the steeper grades like progress: two steps forward, one step back.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • This section of the JMT is well shaded and gradually switchbacks its way down to the start of the mist trail.

    Blog text (25)

  • The hikers were switchbacking up the steep mountain trail, enjoying the beautiful views along the way.

  • As we switchbacked down the path, we could see the river winding its way through the valley below.

  • The road switchbacked sharply, making it easier to climb the steep hillside without losing too much speed.

Synonyms

zigzag
vsto switchback
12 3.1

A line or path that turns sharply from side to side

is used mainly for paths on slopes rather than any flat pattern
to corkscrew
vsto switchback
2 6.8

To move in a twisting spiral path

is about sharp alternating turns on slopes rather than spiral twisting

Compounds

steep switchback
  • US
7.1

A sharp bend in a road on a very sloping hill that helps vehicles go up or down safely

How Winding

to zigzag
1 3.9
to switchback
1 6.4
to wind
221 2.9
to curve
22 2.8
turn
485 1.0
straight
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

switchback infinitive
switchbacked past
switchbacked past participle
switchbacking present participle
switchbacks third person singular

Morphology

switchback = switchback (semi-transparent) = back + switch

The verb is a zero-derivation from the noun 'switchback'; the image of turning back and forth is suggestive, but the sense is somewhat conventionalized.

Etymology

To switchback as a verb is to 'switch back' — to move in sharp back-and-forth turns, especially on a hill or mountain path. That's why hikers say a trail switchbacks when it zigzags to make the climb easier.