verb
Uncommon
wiggle
WIH-guhl
Wiggle (verb) means to move with small, quick side-to-side or back-and-forth motions. Example: “The puppy wiggled with excitement when she came home.”
verb
1
To move with small, quick side-to-side or back-and-forth motions.
"The puppy wiggled with excitement when she came home."
"Try to wiggle your toes if you can feel them."
noun
1
A quick, irregular movement from side to side.
"She gave her hips a little wiggle as she danced."
How to use wiggle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo shake or move with small, jerky motions from side to side.
Common pairings
wiggle your toes
wiggle room
wiggle free
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Word forms
- Plural
- wiggles
- Third person singular
- wiggles
- Past tense
- wiggled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The puppy _____ with excitement when she came home.
Etymology
From Middle English wiglen, likely borrowed from Middle Dutch wigelen ("to wiggle"), related to words meaning "to rock" like a cradle.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for wiggle
See all rhymes for wiggle →Frequently asked questions
What does “wiggle” mean?
The word “wiggle” means to move with small, quick side-to-side or back-and-forth motions. In plain terms, to shake or move with small, jerky motions from side to side.
How do you pronounce “wiggle”?
“Wiggle” is pronounced WIH-guhl (/ˈwɪɡəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “wiggle” in a sentence?
Here is “wiggle” used in a sentence: “The puppy wiggled with excitement when she came home.”
What part of speech is “wiggle”?
Depending on how it is used, “wiggle” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “wiggle” come from?
The word “wiggle” comes from Middle English. From Middle English wiglen, likely borrowed from Middle Dutch wigelen ("to wiggle"), related to words meaning "to rock" like a cradle.
Is “wiggle” a common word?
“Wiggle” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “wiggle” have?
“Wiggle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move with small, quick side-to-side or back-and-forth motions.
