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1

waggle

verb wag·gle \ ˈwa-gəl \

Definition of waggle

waggled; waggling play \ˈwa-g(ə-)liŋ\

intransitive verb

:to reel, sway, or move from side to side :wag

transitive verb

:to move frequently one way and the other :wag

—

waggly

play \ˈwa-g(ə-)lē\ adjective

See waggle defined for English-language learners

See waggle defined for kids

Examples of waggle in a Sentence

He can waggle his ears.
He can make his ears waggle.

Recent Examples of waggle from the Web

A flock of young men in gingham hailed from The American Conservative; hip-looking Manhattanites slouched in their seats; Orthodox priests, wearing dark robes and heavy crosses, waggled their beards in groups.

— josh rothman, The New Yorker, "Rod Dreher’s Monastic Vision," 21 Apr. 2017
For instance, a study published last fall in PLOS Biology explored the reason that big brown bats waggle their heads like puppy dogs and curl the tips of their ears down.

— jason bittel, Smithsonian, "This Echolocating Dormouse Could Reveal the Origins of One of Nature’s Coolest Superpowers," 23 Mar. 2017
A three-year-old Glen of Imaal terrier named Emmett sat on his hindquarters and waggled his paws in the air for a treat.

— jia tolentino, The New Yorker, "A Heavenly Respite at the Westminster Dog Show," 15 Feb. 2017
The biggest action star in the world, Dwayne Johnson, known as the Rock, got his start as an eyebrow-waggling wrestler.

— jeremy gordon, New York Times, "Magazine | Notebook," 27 May 2016

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

Origin and Etymology of waggle

frequentative of ¹wag

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1588

See Words from the same year

waggle Synonyms

Synonyms

swish, switch, wag

Related Words

oscillate, rock, sway, swing, waver; beat, flail, flap, flop, lash, whip; flick, flicker, flutter, wave; jerk, jolt; jig, jiggle, joggle, shake, twitch, wiggle; bob, jog, nod

2

waggle

noun

Definition of waggle

1 :an instance of waggling :a jerky motion back and forth or up and down

2 :a preliminary swinging of a golf club head back and forth over the ball before the swing

Examples of waggle in a Sentence

a quick waggle of her head to indicate “no”

Recent Examples of waggle from the Web

And considering the physical effort bees exert — from the waggle dance that communicates the location of a food source to the forceful beating of wings — Segura had a unique physicality to inform her choreography.

— marcia manna, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Inspired by bees choreographer Lara Segura hopes to educate people about local colonies," 10 Aug. 2017
Beset by these seemingly involuntary waggles, as they were known, Garcia appeared fussy and nervous.

— ian crouch, The New Yorker, "Sergio Garcia’s Triumph of Persistence," 10 Apr. 2017
Did Groucho’s eyebrow waggles and those brothers working in insane sync influence my dim view of Carmelo Anthony’s tendency to play isolation hoops?

— michael powell, New York Times, "Phil Jackson’s Role for a Night: Film Critic," 11 Nov. 2016
There might be a brief nod or a tiny waggle of fingers to an adoring spectator, but little else.

— sam borden, New York Times, "England’s Andrew Johnston Is an Obscure Figure With an Unforgettable Presence," 16 July 2016

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

First Known Use of waggle

circa 1866

waggle Synonyms

Synonyms

swish, switch, ¹wag, whisk

Related Words

oscillation, rock, sway, swing, waver; flap, flutter, wave, whip; flick, jerk, jolt, snap, twitch; jiggle, shake, wiggle; bob, nod

WAGGLE Defined for English Language Learners

waggle

verb

Definition of waggle for English Language Learners

: to move up and down or from side to side repeatedly

WAGGLE Defined for Kids

waggle

verb wag·gle \ ˈwa-gəl \

Definition of waggle for Students

waggled; waggling

:to move backward and forward, from side to side, or up and down

Learn More about waggle

See words that rhyme with waggle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for waggle Spanish Central: Translation of waggle Nglish: Translation of waggle for Spanish speakers

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WORD OF THE DAY

malign

play

to speak evil of

BROWSE DICTIONARY

waggery

waggish

waggle

waggle dance

waggon

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Examples: waggle in a Sentence