jagged

[ jag-id ]

adjective

1. having ragged notches, points, or teeth; zigzag:

   the jagged edge of a saw; a jagged wound.

2. having a harsh, rough, or uneven quality.

jagged

/ ˈdʒæɡɪd /

adjective

1. having sharp projecting notches; ragged; serrate

Derived Forms

• ˈjaggedly, adverb
• ˈjaggedness, noun

Other Words From

• jagged·ly adverb
• jagged·ness noun
• un·jagged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jagged¹

1400–50; late Middle English. See jag ¹, -ed ²

Example Sentences

But pieces of that puzzle are still missing and it’s in those jagged gaps where the threat to children still lies.

From BBC

The music itself blends jazz, blues and gospel music, creating a compositional voice the New York Times described as "dominated by lushly chromatic and modal harmonic writing, spiked with jagged rhythms and tart dissonance."

From Salon

With a puff of the cheeks, a swish of the hair, Smith jagged off his left foot, leaving England wing Tommy Freeman hopelessly off balance on his way to the tryline.

From BBC

It’s packed with jagged guitar lines and fiery melodies that nip hungrily at your earlobes.

From BBC

The unnamed group’s symbol — described in the memo and confirmed to The Times by five sources in the department — is a skull with blood-red eyes, pierced by a jagged lightning bolt.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• broken
• craggy
• irregular
• rugged
• uneven