Meaning & use
zigzag
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Meanings
nouncountable
A line or path that changes direction sharply from side to side, forming a series of angles.
Grammar: Countable: you can say a zigzag or zigzags.
Patterns
- a zigzag of something
- in a zigzag
The path went up the hill in a zigzag.
The child drew a zigzag across the page.
The road is a series of zigzags through the mountains.
verbintransitive
To move forward by turning sharply from side to side in alternating directions.
Grammar: No object; often followed by an adverb or preposition: The motorcycle zigzagged through traffic.
Patterns
- zigzag through something
- zigzag along something
- zigzag across something
The car zigzagged down the icy road.
The rabbit zigzagged across the field to escape.
The boat zigzagged between the rocks.
adjectivebefore a noun
Having a pattern of lines that turn sharply from side to side.
Grammar: Used before a noun: a zigzag pattern, zigzag lines.
Patterns
- a zigzag pattern
- zigzag lines
She wore a skirt with a bright zigzag pattern.
The fence was made of zigzag wire.
Word forms
| plural | zigzags |
|---|---|
| third person singular | zigzags |
| past tense | zigzagged |
| past participle | zigzagged |
| -ing form | zigzagging |
Common combinations
- zigzag pattern
- The wallpaper has a bold zigzag pattern.
- zigzag line
- Draw a zigzag line to show the mountain range.
- zigzag path
- We followed a zigzag path up the cliff.
- zigzag through
- The thief zigzagged through the crowded market.
Synonyms and how they differ
- meander
- Meander means to follow a winding, gentle course, not sharp alternating turns like zigzag.
- weave
- Weave means to move by repeatedly changing direction, often to avoid things; it is less regular and angular than zigzag.
Opposites
Practice
The mountain road ______ up the slope in a series of sharp turns.
Choose one answer.
The subject 'road' is third-person singular, so the present-tense verb needs -s: zigzags. 'Zigzag' would be correct with a plural subject (roads zigzag), and 'zigzagging' needs a helping verb like is.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “zigzag”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.