gig

1 of 4

verb (1)

gigged; gigging

intransitive verb

: to work as a musician

… gigged with various bands …

—DownBeat

gig

2 of 4

verb (2)

gigged; gigging

intransitive verb

: to travel in a gig

gig

3 of 4

verb (3)

gigged; gigging

transitive verb

1

: to spear with a gig

2

a

chiefly Western US : spur, jab

b

: goad, provoke

intransitive verb

: to fish with a gig

gig

4 of 4

verb (4)

gigged; gigging

transitive verb

: to give a military gig to

Examples of gig in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Carlos formed the Santana Blues Band and started gigging around town—congas and timbales entered the mix via percussionists Michael Carabello (in 1967) and José Areas (in 1969), which helped set them apart in one of America’s great rock scenes. —Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 10 May 2026

The guitarist kept gigging, earning extra money by working as a roadie for the Spencer Davis Group, the high-octane R&B outfit featuring a teenage Steve Winwood on keyboard and guitar. —Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2026

But entry barriers undermine the flexibility that draws many people to gig work in the first place. —Andrew Garin, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026

One kindred spirit who helped Wilson push through and complete his vision was Jack Macco, a gigging musician in Long Island whom Wilson met at a liquor store. —William Earl, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb (1)

1937, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1807, in the meaning defined above

Verb (3)

1803, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (4)

circa 1941, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gig

• gig economy
• gig worker

Rhymes for gig

• big
• brig
• brigg
• dig
• fig
• jig
• mig
• pig
• prig
• rig
• sprig
• swig

Kids Definition

gig

1 of 3 noun

ˈgig 

1

: a long light boat

2

: a light two-wheeled one-horse carriage

gig

2 of 3 noun

: gigabyte

gig

3 of 3 noun

: a job for a specified time

especially : an entertainer's job for a specified time