zigzagging

zigzagging — noun

1. movement or a visible pattern that keeps turning sharply first one way and then

1.nounB2
Definition

movement or a visible pattern that keeps turning sharply first one way and then the other.

Example

The zigzagging of the ski trail slowed beginners near the lodge.

zigzagging of + route

Jules laughed at the kite's zigzagging above the windy beach.

Common collocations
  • constant zigzagging
  • zigzagging through traffic
  • zigzagging trail
  • zigzagging pattern
Synonyms
  • zigzag motion

    names the same pattern more explicitly

  • weaving

    often suggests smoother side-to-side movement than zigzagging

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

zigzagging of + thing + through/across + place

constant zigzagging between + obstacles

Usage Note

Usually refers either to repeated sharp-turn movement or to the visible pattern that such movement leaves. It suggests clearer angles than words like weaving or winding.

Common Mistakes

The river's zigzagging looked soft and round.
The river's winding path looked soft and round.
'zigzagging' suggests repeated angles, not one smooth curve.

zigzagging — adjective

zigzagging — adverb

zigzagging — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Zigzagging describes repeated sharp left-right turns, so it works best when a path or movement changes direction again and again in a clearly angled way. Weaving also involves side-to-side movement, but it often sounds smoother and is especially common for moving between people or obstacles. Swerving is usually one sudden move away from a line, often to avoid danger, rather than a whole series of turns. Snaking suggests a long, flowing curve rather than sharp angles. For markets or opinions, zigzagging can also describe unstable back-and-forth change, whereas oscillating is more formal and often sounds technical. You might say a rabbit is zigzagging across a field, a cyclist is weaving through traffic, and a driver swerves to miss a dog.

zigzagging ↗weaving ↗swerving ↗snaking ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • zigzagging across the field
  • zigzagging through traffic
  • keep zigzagging between yes and no
  • a zigzagging line

Prepositions

Etymology

Modern English

'Zigzagging' comes from the English word 'zigzag', which was formed to imitate a line that turns sharply first one way and then the other. The repeated sound pattern in 'zig' and 'zag' helps suggest that back-and-forth movement. Adding '-ing' gives the form used for ongoing movement, for the related action as a noun, and for adjective or adverb uses such as 'a zigzagging road' or 'run zigzagging across the field'.

First known use

1712

1712, in the meaning defined above Adverb