bookworm

noun

book·​worm ˈbu̇k-ˌwərm How to pronounce bookworm (audio)
Synonyms of bookwormnext
: 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.
Every cocktail feels like a deep dive into storytelling, and for a bookworm like me, this bar was an absolute highlight. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 Dua Lipa and Callum Turner are writing a new chapter in their romance, tying the knot two years after a meeting that would make most bookworms swoon. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026 Alastair Stout plays Harry’s best friend Ron Weasley, and Arabella Stanton portrays bookworm Hermione Granger. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 May 2026 Kyra Belle Johnson stars as Belle, the bookworm who doesn't quite fit into her quiet village. Courtney Cole, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026 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 4 Jun. 2026.

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

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