Definition

1. Noun:

   • A booking for musicians: A gig is a single performance engagement for a musician, band, or other performer, typically for a specific event or venue.
   • A small two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage: A gig is a light, open, two-wheeled carriage drawn by one horse, historically used for personal transport.
   • A light ship's boat: In nautical terms, a gig is a light, narrow ship's boat, often reserved for the use of the captain.
   • A fishing implement: A gig is a type of spear or cluster of barbless hooks used for catching fish, especially by dragging it through a school of fish.
   • A long, light rowing boat: A gig is a long, narrow, lightweight rowing boat, often used for racing or as a ship's tender.

2. Verb:

   • To perform a musical engagement: To gig means to work as a musician by playing at a performance or series of performances.
   • To spear fish: To gig means to catch or attempt to catch fish using a gig (the spear or hook implement).

Examples

• Noun:

  • The jazz band has a gig at the club downtown every Friday night.
  • In the 19th century, they traveled to the village in a horse-drawn gig.
  • The captain's gig was lowered into the water for a trip ashore.
  • The fisherman used a gig to catch flounder in the shallow water.
  • The rowing team practiced in a sleek racing gig.

• Verb:

  • She gigs regularly with several different bands around the city.
  • They went to the river to gig for frogs and small fish.

Advanced Usage

• "To have a gig": To be scheduled for a performance.
  • Our drummer has a gig with another band this weekend.
• "Gig economy": A labor market characterized by short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs. (Note: This is a compound term listed here as it is a significant modern usage derived from the core meaning of a single job or engagement).
  • Many delivery drivers work in the gig economy.

Variants and Related Words

• Gigger (n): A person who performs gigs, especially a musician.
• Gigging (n/adj): The act of performing gigs; working in short-term engagements.
  • His gigging schedule is very busy this month.

Synonyms

• Noun (Performance): Engagement, booking, show, performance, job.
• Noun (Carriage): Chaise, cabriolet.
• Noun (Boat): Dinghy, tender, rowboat.
• Verb (Perform): Perform, play.
• Verb (Fish): Spear, harpoon.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Gig up (informal, less common): To get ready or excited for a gig or event.
  • The band is all gigged up for their big show tonight.

Related Idioms

• "A steady gig": A regular, reliable job or performance engagement.
  • After years of freelance work, he finally landed a steady gig with the orchestra.

Noun

1. a booking for musicians
   • they played a gig in New Jersey
2. small two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage; with two seats and no hood
3. tender that is a light ship's boat; often for personal use of captain
4. a cluster of hooks (without barbs) that is drawn through a school of fish to hook their bodies; used when fish are not biting
5. an implement with a shaft and barbed point used for catching fish
6. long and light rowing boat; especially for racing