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to zigzag

to zigzag

10 3.9
To move by turning sharply first one way then the other
  • verb
  • /ˈzɪɡˌzæɡ/
: zigzaguear
  • He zigzags through oncoming cars, not bothering about traffic signals.
  • trail that zigzags
  • line that zigzags
  • then he zigzags

Yeah, do we follow this start zigzagging?

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Examples

  • He keeps his eye on his son as Tommy zigzags through the crowd.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • To avoid the obstacles, she had to zigzag through the crowded street.

  • So we just do in a zigzag like that and keep going.

  • Just go in and zigzag up, kind of lift them up.

  • You know, I can come in here and zigzag back and forth inside the line if I really want to.

  • Now we can zigzag back and forth across the whole snake until we reach the end.

  • Then I do the mid theme and then back up through another one to zigzag to the far end.

  • So traveling at top speed in a zigzag course pretty much made it impossible for these ships to be sunk by a sub.

  • Bracey zigzags through the jungle, then suddenly stops.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • A path zigzags sharply upward through the trees and vine labyrinth, and by this, the boy leads the way with the speed and agility of a goat.

    Blog text (22)

Synonyms

to corkscrew
vsto zigzag
7 6.8

To move in a twisting spiral path

describes forward movement using sharp alternating turns rather than spirals
to switchback
vsto zigzag
1 6.4

To move along a path that zigzags up or down a slope

describes forward movement using sharp alternating turns in any setting

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

In a direct line without turning

Compounds

1 9.8

A North American plant with zigzag stems and small yellow flowers in woodlands

How Winding

to zigzag
10 3.9
to weave
41 2.8
to curve
41 2.8

Surface Forms

zigzag infinitive
zigzagged past
zigzagged past participle
zigzagging present participle
zigzags third person singular

Morphology

zigzag = zig + zag (transparent) = zig + zag

As a verb, 'zigzag' denotes performing the alternating turns implied by the two elements, a direct compositional meaning.

Etymology

Zigzag as a verb comes from the quick moves zig and zag. A helpful way to remember it is to picture turning first one way and then the other, so to 'zigzag' is to move with quick, alternating turns.