earworm

noun

ear·worm | \ ˈir-ˌwərm

How to pronounce earworm (audio)

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Definition of earworm

1 : corn earworm

2 : a song or melody that keeps repeating in one's mind

Examples of earworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web With musical accompaniment from drums, an accordion, acoustic guitars, and a violin, the smooth harmonies and Lynn's soaring upper register, the tune will fast become your new earworm. — Perri Ormont Blumberg, Southern Living, "From the Vaults: Watch Loretta Lynn Shine on Cover of Beloved 1893 Hymn "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder"," 6 Apr. 2021 The now-iconic video is a who’s who of early-’00s pop and R&B royalty at the height of their powers, all anchored by that deliciously cheeky earworm of a refrain: Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir? — Liam Hess, Vogue, "Christina Aguilera on the Sound and Style of the “Lady Marmalade” Video, 20 Years Later," 29 Mar. 2021 The soundtrack's plenty peppy, with Amy Grant and Steven Curtis Chapman hits mixed with earworm-y original numbers. — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, "What to stream this weekend: 'The Father' with Anthony Hopkins, Netflix's 'A Week Away'," 26 Mar. 2021 Each new iteration of the meme helps the earworm grow inside your head. — Cameron Hickey, Wired, "TikTok Played a Key Role in MAGA Radicalization," 3 Mar. 2021 The track, which became an inescapable earworm and which is credited to Pinkfong, which is both a group and a brand of sorts, has also advanced beyond that honor as well. — Hugh Mcintyre, Forbes, "BTS’s ‘Dynamite’ Is Just The Third Song By A Korean Act To Go Gold In The U.K.," 24 Feb. 2021 Nwodim does a great job of illustrating both the fantasy and the reality behind pandemic living, and the song itself is a genuine earworm. — Matthew Love, Vulture, "Saturday Night Live Recap: Regé-Jean Page, Gladly Seducing America," 21 Feb. 2021 Swift has graduated from sugar-pop queen to significant cultural figure, and this unabashedly political-while-still-catchy earworm underscores that rise. — Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, "Here are 10 Oscar-contending song tracks. Why not make them your playlist?," 25 Jan. 2021 This Vitamin String Quartet cover of Grande's 2018 earworm plays in the first episode of Bridgerton's first season. — Andrea Park, Marie Claire, "The 'Bridgerton' Soundtrack Is Filled With Classical Covers of Modern Hits," 29 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'earworm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

11 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Earworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earworm. Accessed 15 Apr. 2021.

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