wiggle

1 of 2

verb

wig·​gle ˈwi-gəl 

wiggled; wiggling ˈwi-g(ə-)liŋ 

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

ˈwi-g(ə-)lē 

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

• fiddle
• fidget
• jerk
• jig
• jiggle
• squiggle
• squirm
• thrash
• thresh
• toss
• twist
• twitch
• wriggle
• writhe

Examples of wiggle in a Sentence

Verb

The puppy wiggled with excitement.

the baby wiggled in her sleep

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But there’s still time for the Warriors to wiggle their way up the standings. —Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024

Boiling Place eggs in a saucepan that gives them room to wiggle a bit. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 29 Mar. 2024

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

Phrases Containing wiggle

• wiggle room

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