NYT Dictionary

ZIGZAG

/ˈzɪɡ.zæɡ/
NounAdjectiveVerbAdverbZIG-zagzig-zag · 2 syllablesGrade 1

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

A line or path that proceeds by sharp turns in alternating directions.

Etymology

Origin: French

Attested from 1712. Borrowed from French zigzag (attested from 1662), possibly from a Germanic source via Walloon ziczac (although German Zickzack is attested only from 1703). Also, possibly from the shape of the letter Z, which appears twice in the word. Sense “drunk” from the zigzag movements of a drunk person.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

zig and zagweaveyawzigzagcrankaberrantaberrationakimboalternate

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 7 recorded puzzles:

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