noun
zag
zag
Zag (noun) means a sharp turn in the opposite direction, especially as the second half of "zigzag.". Example: “The trail was a series of zigs and zags down the mountainside.”
noun
1
A sharp turn in the opposite direction, especially as the second half of "zigzag."
"The trail was a series of zigs and zags down the mountainside."
"Every zag in the plot caught readers off guard."
verb
1
To make a sharp turn or sudden change of direction.
"The rabbit zagged left just as the fox lunged."
"You need to zig when everyone else zags."
How to use zag
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden turn — usually paired with "zig" to describe a path or plan that keeps changing direction.
Common pairings
zig and zag
zag left
a zag in the road
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Word forms
- Plural
- zags
- Third person singular
- zags
- Past tense
- zagged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The trail was a series of zigs and _____ down the mountainside.
Etymology
A back-formation from "zigzag" — people split the word in two and started using "zag" on its own.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “zag” mean?
The word “zag” means a sharp turn in the opposite direction, especially as the second half of "zigzag.". In plain terms, a sudden turn — usually paired with "zig" to describe a path or plan that keeps changing direction.
How do you pronounce “zag”?
“Zag” is pronounced zag (/zæɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “zag” in a sentence?
Here is “zag” used in a sentence: “The trail was a series of zigs and zags down the mountainside.”
What part of speech is “zag”?
Depending on how it is used, “zag” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “zag” have?
“Zag” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sharp turn in the opposite direction, especially as the second half of "zigzag.".
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