What does jigged mean?
Jigged is the past tense and past participle of jig, a verb describing movement that is quick, bouncing, or characteristically jerky. Its use can refer to any body or object moving in this manner: a person might jigged impatiently, or a puppet might jigged when its strings were pulled. The word also has an informal adjectival use in the expression “jigged up,” meaning excited, delighted, or enthusiastically animated. This sense is especially familiar in conversational English and suggests a more exuberant state than simply being pleased. Although the basic verb meaning is straightforward and broadly used in both British and American English, the “excited” sense is chiefly associated with the fixed phrase “jigged up.” The word is memorable because its sound and meaning are closely related: what is “jigged” is lively, unsteady, and full of quick movement.
Moved with a quick, jerky or bouncing motion.
"He jigged to the front of the stage as his name was called."
This is the past tense and past participle of jig.
Informal: very excited or enthusiastically animated.
"She was all jigged up when the team won the championship."
Chiefly used in the informal expression “jigged up” or “all jigged up.”
Try being “jigged up” about a word: it means so excited that you cannot sit still.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jigged come from?
“Jigged” was formed in English as the regular past tense and past participle of “jig.” The deeper origin of “jig” is uncertain, although it is associated with lively movement and may be related to other words suggesting quick or unsteady motion. The expression “jigged up” developed within English and reflects the word’s longstanding association with bouncing or exuberant activity.
Related word forms
How jigged is actually used
The expression “jigged up” is informal and conveys lively enthusiasm. As a past-participle adjective, it normally occurs in this set phrase rather than standing alone.