zigzag
/ˈzɪɡ.zæɡ/ (bre, ipa) · [zˈɪɡzæɡ] /ˈzɪɡ.zæɡ/ (ame, ipa) · [zˈɪɡzæɡ] /ˈzig-ˌzag How to pronounce zigzag (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˈzɪɡzæɡ/ (bre, ipa) · [zˈɪɡzæɡ] /ˈzɪɡzæɡ/ (ame, ipa)
zigzag — noun
- zigzagsingular
- zigzagsplural
1. a shape, mark, or line that keeps turning sharply first one way and then the oth
a shape, mark, or line that keeps turning sharply first one way and then the other.
Dahlia drew a zigzag across the poster to show the mountain road.
zigzag across + surface
The child colored each zigzag on the blanket with a green crayon.
A bright zigzag of lightning flashed above the dark farm.
Red tape marked a zigzag between the tables in the school hall.
- zigzag line
names the same shape more explicitly
- jag
usually one sharp point or break, not the whole repeated pattern
- straight line
has no repeated changes of direction
文法句型
a zigzag across/through + place
用法筆記
Often used for visible shapes such as lines, roads, cracks, or flashes of lightning. It refers to the repeated sharp turns themselves, not just any curved pattern.
常見錯誤
2. a quick jump from one opposite idea, plan, or direction to the other and back ag
a quick jump from one opposite idea, plan, or direction to the other and back again.
The mayor's zigzag on bus fares confused many commuters.
zigzag on + policy issue
Investors worried about the government's zigzag on import taxes.
Lara's zigzag between yes and no delayed the wedding plans.
The team's zigzag over training rules upset the younger players.
- consistency
staying with one line of action or opinion
文法句型
a zigzag on/in + policy, prices, opinion
用法筆記
Used for unstable opinions, policies, numbers, or decisions that keep flipping between two sides. It usually suggests that the changes are confusing or hard to trust.
zigzag — verb
- zigzagpresent simple I / you / we / they
- zigzags3rd person singular
- zigzagging-ing form
- zigzaggedpast simple
1. to move with repeated sharp turns, or to arrange something in that kind of back-
to move with repeated sharp turns, or to arrange something in that kind of back-and-forth shape.
The rabbit zigzagged across the field to escape the dog.
zigzag across + place
A small scooter zigzagged through the market after the rain.
Mateo zigzagged down the slope to keep control on the ice.
Workers zigzagged the string of lights along the fence for the party.
- weave
often focuses on moving between obstacles rather than making a regular sharp-turn pattern
- swerve
usually describes one sudden turn, not a repeated left-right path
- crisscross
often means crossing back and forth over an area rather than one twisting route
- go straight
move forward without repeated sharp turns
文法句型
zigzag across/through/down + place
zigzag + object + along/across + place
用法筆記
Often followed by across, through, down, or along to show the twisting path. It can also take an object when someone places or draws something in the same sharp-turning shape.
常見錯誤
2. to keep changing between opposite positions, feelings, numbers, or directions in
to keep changing between opposite positions, feelings, numbers, or directions instead of staying steady.
Fuel prices zigzagged for weeks after the storm damaged the port.
numbers or trends can zigzag
The debate zigzagged between hope and anger all evening.
zigzag between opposite moods
Marta's story zigzagged from apology to blame during the meeting.
Public support zigzagged as new reports reached the town.
- stabilize
stop changing and become steady
文法句型
zigzag between + opposites
zigzag from + one side + to + the other
用法筆記
This sense is used for unstable movement in ideas, figures, or attitudes rather than for a visible path in space. It often suggests confusion, pressure, or lack of a clear plan.
zigzag — adjective
- zigzagpositive
- more zigzagcomparative
- most zigzagsuperlative
1. made in a form with repeated sharp left-right turns.
made in a form with repeated sharp left-right turns.
We followed a zigzag path up the snowy hill before sunset.
zigzag + noun for shape
Salma stitched a zigzag border around the baby's quilt.
The map showed a zigzag crack beside the old bridge.
Workers painted zigzag lines near the school crossing.
文法句型
zigzag + noun
用法筆記
Usually comes before nouns such as path, line, border, or road. It describes the visible shape, not the act of changing your mind.
zigzag — adverb
1. with repeated sharp turns from side to side instead of in a straight path.
with repeated sharp turns from side to side instead of in a straight path.
The fox ran zigzag through the tall grass after sunset.
movement verb + zigzag
Christopher cycled zigzag around puddles on the narrow lane.
Smoke drifted zigzag across the pond in the cold wind.
The toy boat moved zigzag between reeds near the wooden pier.
- erratically
can describe irregular movement, but not always a clear left-right pattern
- side to side
plain everyday wording for the same general direction
- straight
without side-to-side turns
文法句型
run/move/drift + zigzag
用法筆記
This adverb usually comes after a verb of movement to describe the way something travels. For ideas or numbers that change back and forth, English more often uses the verb sense.