wiggle

1 of 2

verb

wig·​gle ˈwi-gəl How to pronounce wiggle (audio)
wiggled; wiggling ˈwi-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce wiggle (audio)

intransitive verb

1
: to move to and fro with quick jerky or shaking motions : jiggle
2
: to proceed with or as if with twisting and turning movements : wriggle

transitive verb

: to cause to wiggle

wiggle

2 of 2

noun

1
: the act of wiggling
2
: shellfish or fish in cream sauce with peas
wiggly adjective

Examples of wiggle in a Sentence

Verb The puppy wiggled with excitement. the baby wiggled in her sleep
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
On the screen, the app will show a digital representation of the keys and the ghostly outline of your hands wiggling above them. Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 8 Oct. 2024 Give the culprit a small spritz, let sit for a second, and then carefully wiggle the zipper back and forth while pulling up or down as needed. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2024
Noun
This is the Control Center customization view, which is vastly superior to the home screen's wiggle mode. Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 20 Sep. 2024 And Hepp believes there’s still some possibility of choppiness in inflation readings that feeds into wiggles in rates. Andrea Riquier, USA TODAY, 14 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wiggle 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English wiglen, from or akin to Middle Dutch or Middle Low German wiggelen to totter; akin to Old English wegan to move — more at way

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wiggle was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near wiggle

Cite this Entry

“Wiggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wiggle. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

wiggle

verb
wig·​gle
ˈwig-əl
wiggled; wiggling
-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to move to and fro with quick jerky or shaking motions : jiggle
wiggled my toes
2
: to move along with twisting and turning movements : wriggle
wiggle noun

More from Merriam-Webster on wiggle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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