Definition of wriggle
wriggled
;wriggling
play \ˈri-g(ə-)liŋ\intransitive verb
1 : to move the body or a bodily part to and fro with short writhing motions like a worm : squirm
2 : to move or advance by twisting and turning
3 : to extricate or insinuate oneself or reach a goal as if by wriggling
transitive verb
1 : to cause to move in short quick contortions
2 : to introduce, insinuate, or bring into a state or place by or as if by wriggling
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Examples of wriggle in a Sentence
The children wriggled and squirmed in their chairs.
She managed to wriggle free of her ropes.
They wriggled out of their wet clothes.
I had trouble getting the wriggling fish off my hook.
The snake wriggled across the path and went underneath a bush.
He was able to wriggle through the narrow opening.
Origin and Etymology of wriggle
Middle English, from or akin to Middle Low German wriggeln to wriggle; akin to Old English wrigian to turn — more at wry
wriggle
Definition of wriggle
1 : a short or quick writhing motion or contortion
2 : a formation or marking of sinuous design
First Known Use of wriggle
1709
WRIGGLE Defined for English Language Learners
wriggle
playDefinition of wriggle for English Language Learners
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: to twist from side to side with small quick movements like a worm
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: to move forward by twisting and turning
WRIGGLE Defined for Kids
Headscratcher for wriggle
Take the “r” out of wriggle and you have one of its synonyms: wiggle!
Learn More about wriggle
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See words that rhyme with wriggle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wriggle Spanish Central: Translation of wriggle Nglish: Translation of wriggle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of wriggle for Arabic speakers
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