squiggle

1 of 2

verb

squig·​gle ˈskwi-gəl 

squiggled; squiggling ˈskwi-g(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: squirm, wriggle

squiggling in her seat

2

: to write or paint hastily : scribble

transitive verb

1

: scribble

2

: to form or cause to form in squiggles

squiggle

2 of 2

noun

: a short wavy twist or line : curlicue

especially : an illegible scrawl

squiggly

ˈskwi-g(ə-)lē 

adjective

Synonyms of squiggle

Verb

• twitch
• fidget
• toss
• squirm
• jerk
• wiggle
• twist
• fiddle

Examples of squiggle in a Sentence

Verb

a pediatrician's waiting room full of squiggling toddlers

there are some illegible notes squiggled in the margins of the old book

Noun

His handwriting looks like a bunch of squiggles.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The cake is gingery, light and moist, squiggled with thick cream cheese frosting. — Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Breaking water in the morning and shoulders squiggling free in the dark of evening. — Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2024

Noun

In the middle was a dark squiggle that might have been a river. — Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026

Greg Simms said, as a unique squiggle of metal off the end of the back fender was noted. — Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

blend of squirm and wriggle

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1816, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1900, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for squiggle

• giggle
• jiggle
• wiggle
• wriggle

Kids Definition

squiggle

noun

squig·​gle

ˈskwig-əl

: a short wavy twist or line : curlicue