gig
gihg
Gig (noun) means a single performance booking for a musician or entertainer. Example: “She has a gig at a small cafe in town tonight.”
noun
1
A single performance booking for a musician or entertainer.
"She has a gig at a small cafe in town tonight."
"After the gig, the singer signed autographs for everyone who had queued."
"The band played a gig at the local pub on Friday."
2
Any job, especially short-term, freelance, or on-demand work.
"Between university terms, Maya did a gig painting fences for local homeowners."
"Many students rely on a part-time gig to cover their rent."
"He picked up a few delivery gigs to make extra money."
verb
1
To perform live as a musician or entertainer.
"When I was younger, I gigged in pubs every weekend with my cousin."
"They are gigging across the country this summer to promote their new album."
"The band has been gigging around the city for years."
How to use gig
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA performance booking or, more broadly these days, any short-term or freelance job.
Common pairings
play a gig
gig economy
side gig
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Word forms
- Plural
- gigs
- Third person singular
- gigs
- Past tense
- gigged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She has a _____ at a small cafe in town tonight.
Etymology
Origin uncertain, though possibly related to Old French gigue, "a fiddle."
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “gig” mean?
The word “gig” means a single performance booking for a musician or entertainer. In plain terms, a performance booking or, more broadly these days, any short-term or freelance job.
How do you pronounce “gig”?
“Gig” is pronounced gihg (/ɡɪɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “gig” in a sentence?
Here is “gig” used in a sentence: “The band played a gig at the local pub on Friday.”
What part of speech is “gig”?
Depending on how it is used, “gig” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gig” come from?
The word “gig” comes from Old French. Origin uncertain, though possibly related to Old French gigue, "a fiddle.".
Is “gig” a common word?
“Gig” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “gig” have?
“Gig” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a single performance booking for a musician or entertainer.
What is the gig economy?
The gig economy is a labour market built on short-term, freelance, or on-demand jobs, known as gigs, rather than permanent employment. Delivery riders, ride-share drivers, and freelance designers are typical gig workers, paid per task or booking instead of a fixed salary.
What is the difference between a gig and a concert?
A gig is a single booked performance, and the word is informal: musicians talk about 'playing a gig' whether it is in a pub or a stadium. A concert usually suggests a more formal, organised performance, often with a larger audience. Any concert can loosely be called a gig, but small casual shows are rarely called concerts.
Can gig be used as a verb?
Yes. To gig means to perform live as a musician or entertainer, as in 'the band has been gigging around the country for years'. The verb is informal and especially common in music journalism.
Is gig too informal for a CV or formal writing?
Gig is an informal word in both its music sense and its job sense. On a CV or in formal writing, 'engagement', 'booking', 'contract', or 'freelance project' are safer choices, while gig suits everyday speech and casual writing.
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