jig

1 of 2

noun

ˈjig 

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

Synonyms

Noun

• artifice
• device
• dodge
• fetch
• flimflam
• gambit
• gimmick
• juggle
• knack
• play
• ploy
• ruse
• scheme
• shenanigan
• sleight
• stratagem
• trick
• wile

Verb

• fiddle
• fidget
• jerk
• jiggle
• squiggle
• squirm
• thrash
• thresh
• toss
• twist
• twitch
• wiggle
• wriggle
• writhe

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

Noun

Surf anglers, however, figured out that these heavy lead jigs will fly a mile, even into a hard onshore wind. —Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 17 Oct. 2024

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

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

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

Phrases Containing jig

• the jig is up

Kids Definition

jig

1 of 2 noun

ˈjig 

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