jig

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: any of several lively springy dances in triple rhythm
b
: music to which a jig may be danced
2
: trick, game
used chiefly in the phrase the jig is up
3
a
: any of several fishing devices that are jerked up and down or drawn through the water
b
: a device used to maintain mechanically the correct positional relationship between a piece of work and the tool or between parts of work during assembly
c
: a device in which crushed ore is concentrated or coal is cleaned by agitating in water

jig

2 of 2

verb

jigged; jigging

intransitive verb

1
a
: to move with rapid jerky motions
b
: to dance a jig
2
: to fish with a jig

transitive verb

1
: to dance in the rapid lively manner of a jig
2
a
: to give a rapid jerky motion to
b
: to separate (a mineral or ore from waste) with a jig
3
: to catch (a fish) with a jig
4
: to machine by means of a jig-controlled tool operation
Phrases
in jig time
: in a short time : quickly

Examples of jig in a Sentence

Noun okay, buster, the jig is up Verb We jigged to the fiddle music. the mother could tell that her little boy had to use the bathroom because he was jigging
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Their wide profile also produces more flash and wobble than a diamond jig when seen from a distance. Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 17 Oct. 2024 Diamond jigs were originally intended to be dropped straight down from a boat and jigged vertically. Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
Diamond jigs were originally intended to be dropped straight down from a boat and jigged vertically. Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 17 Oct. 2024 Owned by the Chinese, the ship was flagged to Argentina and jigging in Argentinian waters. Ian Urbina, TIME, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for jig 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps from Middle French giguer to frolic, from gigue fiddle, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German gīga fiddle; akin to Old Norse geiga to turn aside

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1604, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of jig was circa 1560

Dictionary Entries Near jig

Cite this Entry

“Jig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jig. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

jig

1 of 2 noun
1
: a lively springy dance
2
: trick entry 1 sense 1, game
used chiefly in the phrase the jig is up

jig

2 of 2 verb
jigged; jigging
1
: to dance a jig
2
: to jerk up and down or to and fro

More from Merriam-Webster on jig

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