zigzag
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a line or path that turns sharply from side to side.
n.a line or course that proceeds by sharp turns in alternating directions.
Simple“The child drew a green zigzag across the bottom of the paper to look like grass.”
In context“The mountain trail was a series of steep zigzags that tested the hikers' endurance before they reached the summit.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to move in a way that changes direction quickly and often.
v.to move or progress in a series of sharp turns or angles.
Simple“The skier had to zigzag down the slope to avoid the trees.”
In context“The messenger zigzagged through the dense afternoon traffic, expertly weaving his motorcycle between stationary cars.”
UsageIntransitive verb; often followed by a prepositional phrase of direction.
Antonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.having the shape of a zigzag.
adj.formed or moving in a zigzag pattern.
Simple“The shirt had a colorful zigzag pattern on the sleeves.”
In context“The architect incorporated a zigzag roofline to mimic the jagged peaks of the nearby mountain range.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
adv.moving in a pattern of sharp turns.
adv.in a zigzag manner or pattern.
Simple“The rabbit ran zigzag across the field to escape the fox.”
In context“The small boat sailed zigzag against the wind, slowly making its way toward the harbor entrance.”
SynonymsAntonyms
“One wrote: “They need to introduce zigzag no parking zones either side of pedestrian crossings.”
Attested from 1712. Borrowed from French zigzag (attested from 1662), possibly from a Germanic source via Walloon ziczac (although German Zickzack is attested only from 1703). Also, possibly from the shape of the letter Z, which appears twice in the word. Sense “drunk” from the zigzag movements of a drunk person.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.