jig
Jig (noun) means a lively folk dance, or the fast tune written for it, typically in 6/8 time. Example: “The band struck up a jig and the whole room started dancing.”
How to use jig
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMainly a fast folk dance/tune, a workshop tool for repeating identical cuts, or a bouncing fishing lure.
The phrase "the jig is up" (meaning a scheme has been discovered) uses a different, older sense of jig meaning "a trick."
Word forms
jigged past tense, jigs plural, jigs plural, jigs singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The band struck up a _____ and the whole room started dancing.
Etymology
Origin uncertain; possibly related to an Old French word for a fiddle, since jigs were traditionally fiddle tunes.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “jig” mean?
The word “jig” means a lively folk dance, or the fast tune written for it, typically in 6/8 time. In plain terms, mainly a fast folk dance/tune, a workshop tool for repeating identical cuts, or a bouncing fishing lure.
How do you pronounce “jig”?
“Jig” is pronounced jihg (/d͡ʒɪɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “jig” in a sentence?
Here is “jig” used in a sentence: “The band struck up a jig and the whole room started dancing.”
What part of speech is “jig”?
Depending on how it is used, “jig” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “jig” come from?
The word “jig” comes from Old French. Origin uncertain; possibly related to an Old French word for a fiddle, since jigs were traditionally fiddle tunes.
How many meanings does “jig” have?
“Jig” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a lively folk dance, or the fast tune written for it, typically in 6/8 time.