The shape of a lightning bolt is often described as a ZIGZAG, which is a six-letter word. A lightning bolt is an electrical discharge that occurs during a thunderstorm, and it is usually seen in the form of a jagged line. The shape of a lightning bolt is caused by the electrical current that passes through the air, creating a path of least resistance. The ZIGZAG pattern of a lightning bolt is a result of the air molecules being ionized and repelling each other.