gig
noun · verb
Simple meaning
An implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
gigIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈɡɪɡ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
An implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish
A cluster of hooks (without barbs) that is drawn through a school of fish to hook their bodies; used when fish are not biting
fishing
Synonym of fishgig or fizgig ("a spear with a barb on the end of it, used for catching fish, frogs, or other small animals").
by extension
Any job, especially one that is freelance or temporary, or done on an on-demand basis.
Originally (music), a performing engagement by a musician or musical group; (by extension, film, television, theater) a job or role for a performer.
verb
intransitivefilmmusictelevisiontheater
To engage in a musical performance, act in a theatre production, etc.
intransitiveby extension
To work at any job, especially one that is freelance or temporary, or done on an on-demand basis.
transitive
To spear (fish, etc.) with a gig or fizgig.
intransitive
To catch or fish with a gig or fizgig.
transitive
To make a joke, often condescendingly, at the expense of (someone); to make fun of.
intransitive
Sometimes followed by it: to ride in a gig ("a two-wheeled carriage drawn by a single horse").
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- B1 · Intermediate (estimated)
- Frequency
- Moderately Common
- Typical Use
- General and technical use
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: An implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish
Used this way, gig is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Matter-of-fact
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use gig
- “They played a gig in New Jersey.”noun
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
A light narrow racing boat for two or more oarsmen.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.