as in nerds
a person slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits
a bookworm who prefers reading to just about any other activity
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Recent Examples of bookworms
Walking through the shelves, flipping the pages, and soaking up that classic, old-book smell—for bookworms, there’s nothing better.
—
Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
Book clubs seem to be more popular than ever, which is good news for bookworms and casual readers alike.
—De Elizabeth, Glamour, 2 Jan. 2026
While many bookworms are still speed-reading their way through their end-of-year TBR piles, PEOPLE is already looking ahead to 2026.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
This $99 e-reader has become a classic for a reason, changing the lives of bookworms around the world.
—Melissa Locker, Time, 17 Nov. 2025
Goodreads and Letterboxd for bookworms and movie buffs.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
Grab a warm mug of tea, bookworms – fall reading is officially here.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
For bookworms drawn to the author’s characters, Quindlen also teases that Polly is sure to leave a lasting impression.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Book bars have made their way into the cultural zeitgeist as well, offering metropolitan bookworms a taste of nightlife more in line with their sensibilities.
—Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 13 Dec. 2024
Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
Book clubs seem to be more popular than ever, which is good news for bookworms and casual readers alike.
—De Elizabeth, Glamour, 2 Jan. 2026
While many bookworms are still speed-reading their way through their end-of-year TBR piles, PEOPLE is already looking ahead to 2026.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025
This $99 e-reader has become a classic for a reason, changing the lives of bookworms around the world.
—Melissa Locker, Time, 17 Nov. 2025
Goodreads and Letterboxd for bookworms and movie buffs.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
Grab a warm mug of tea, bookworms – fall reading is officially here.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
For bookworms drawn to the author’s characters, Quindlen also teases that Polly is sure to leave a lasting impression.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Book bars have made their way into the cultural zeitgeist as well, offering metropolitan bookworms a taste of nightlife more in line with their sensibilities.
—Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 13 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bookworms
Noun
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SmackDown also features the return of Jade Cargill, who has come under fire by nerds online for not defending her WWE Women’s Championship for 70 days.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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In the world of comedy nerds, Bamford and her work are beyond well known.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That calculus mirrors the larger rethink going on among points geeks—and everyday travelers.—
Chris Dong,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Jan. 2026
-
For several years, beer geeks got excited for beers like 3 Floyds’ Dark Lord Imperial Stout, the former Portsmouth Brewery’s Kate the Great, The Bruery’s Black Tuesday and Goose Island’s Bourbon County Brand Original Stout.—
Jay R. Brooks,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Bookworms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bookworms. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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