Jagged

/ˈdʒæɡɪd/

adjectivemedium📊CommonDescriptive
1 meaning2 questions

Definitions

1

Having an uneven, rough, or sharp edge or surface.

/ˈdʒæɡɪd/

adjectiveneutralmedium
Descriptive

Having a rough or sharp edge or surface

The jagged teeth of the saw made quick work of the wood.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're walking along a rocky beach. The jagged edges of the rocks are like teeth, they're not smooth or flat. They're pointy and rough! Like a poorly cut paper edge.

👶 For kids: When something is jagged, it has pointy parts that stick out, like a mountain or a broken toy.

More Examples

2

The climber carefully avoided the jagged rocks on the cliff face.

3

A jagged scar ran across his forehead.

How It's Used

General

"The jagged rocks cut into his hand."

Geology

"The coastline was characterized by jagged cliffs and inlets."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Antonyms

From Middle English *gagged*, possibly from *jag*, a verb meaning to pierce or prick, likely of Scandinavian origin.

The word has been in use since the early 16th century, often used to describe rough or irregular surfaces in natural formations.

Memory tip

Think of a saw blade: the jagged edges are the defining feature.

Word Origin

LanguageLikely of Scandinavian origin
Original meaning

"To pierce or prick (related to the verb "jag")"

jagged edgejagged rocksjagged cliffsjagged teethjagged line

Common misspellings

jaggeddjagedjagid

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written