noun
earwig
EER-wihg
Earwig (noun) means a small insect with pincers at the end of its abdomen. Example: “An earwig scuttled out from under the flowerpot.”
noun
1
A small insect with pincers at the end of its abdomen.
"An earwig scuttled out from under the flowerpot."
verb
1
To eavesdrop, or to quietly try to influence someone with persistent talk.
"He was earwigging on their conversation from the next table."
How to use earwig
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA pincer-tailed garden insect; informally, also used as a verb meaning to eavesdrop.
Memory tip
The insect meaning is far more common than the eavesdropping verb, which is mostly British slang.
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Word forms
- Plural
- earwigs
- Third person singular
- earwigs
- Past tense
- earwigged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
An _____ scuttled out from under the flowerpot.
Etymology
From Old English ēarwicga, literally "ear insect" — from an old folk belief that the insect crawled into people's ears.
Frequently asked questions
What does “earwig” mean?
The word “earwig” means a small insect with pincers at the end of its abdomen. In plain terms, a pincer-tailed garden insect; informally, also used as a verb meaning to eavesdrop.
How do you pronounce “earwig”?
“Earwig” is pronounced EER-wihg (/ˈɪə(ɹ)wɪɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “earwig” in a sentence?
Here is “earwig” used in a sentence: “An earwig scuttled out from under the flowerpot.”
What part of speech is “earwig”?
Depending on how it is used, “earwig” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “earwig” come from?
The word “earwig” comes from Old English. From Old English ēarwicga, literally "ear insect" — from an old folk belief that the insect crawled into people's ears.
How many meanings does “earwig” have?
“Earwig” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small insect with pincers at the end of its abdomen.
