bookworm

noun

book·​worm ˈbu̇k-ˌwərm How to pronounce bookworm (audio)
: a person unusually devoted to reading and study

Examples of bookworm in a Sentence

She was always a bookworm when she was a kid. a bookworm who prefers reading to just about any other activity
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.
Buy Now 12 of 15 'Matilda' by Roald Dahl Precocious bookworms everywhere found a kindred spirit in Matilda, a little girl with neglectful parents and a loving teacher who takes on a terrorizing headmistress with her special powers. Lizz Schumer, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024 At the time, Graber identified less as a computer kid than as a bookworm, reading stories of scientific and mathematical discovery. Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025 Quince Cotton Fisherman Throw Every bookworm needs a snuggly throw blanket to curl up with. Esther Carlstone, SELF, 26 Nov. 2024 While Shaffer's story will likely feel cozy and familiar to bookworms, fellow Kentuckians will find a few delightful Bluegrass pearls hidden within the pages. The Courier-Journal, 4 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for bookworm

Word History

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bookworm was in 1580

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bookworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bookworm. Accessed 9 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

bookworm

noun
book·​worm -ˌwərm How to pronounce bookworm (audio)
1
: any of various insect larvae that feed on the binding and paste of books
2
: a person devoted to reading or study

More from Merriam-Webster on bookworm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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