What does jagging mean?
Jagging is the present participle and gerund of jag. In its principal sense, it describes making, cutting, or wearing something so that its edge consists of sharp, irregular projections, as in a phrase about frost jaggng a windowpane. The resulting surface may be described as jagged, a far more common word in both British and American English. Jagging also has a less frequent meaning of moving abruptly or in sudden jerks, particularly of a vehicle, machine, or part of the body. Because jagging is normally an inflection rather than a standalone dictionary headword, it is more often encountered in descriptive prose than in ordinary conversation. The word is especially effective for describing hard, sharp, uneven surfaces and conveys the idea that a formerly smooth outline has been broken into angular points.
To make or cut something with sharp, irregular projections; to give something a jagged edge.
"The wind was jagging the torn flag into ragged strips."
Usually encountered as the present participle in descriptive or literary prose.
To move suddenly or with abrupt jerks.
"The tractor jaggged across the uneven field."
This sense is less common than the sense of making something jagged.
The act of making something jagged or of moving in abrupt jerks.
"The constant jaggng of the machinery filled the workshop with noise."
A formal gerund noun; the related adjective jagged is normally more common.
Jagging turns a smooth line into a row of sharp, uneven points, like a saw blade with teeth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jagging come from?
Jagging is formed from jag by the English present-participle suffix -ing. The verb jag and its derivative jagged were recorded during the Middle English period, although their precise ultimate origins are uncertain. The same English root also produced jaggy and, through regular derivation, jaggedness. The root is especially well preserved in the familiar modern adjective jagged.
Related word forms
How jagging is actually used
Jagging is principally an inflectional form of jag rather than an independent everyday word. The related adjective jagged is much more common, especially in British and US English, while the movement sense of jag is relatively uncommon.