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
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
Heading into the new year, this is perfect for the bookworms seeking visual inspiration, the photography and storytelling is just amazing.
—Kelly Wearstler, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
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
Heading into the new year, this is perfect for the bookworms seeking visual inspiration, the photography and storytelling is just amazing.
—Kelly Wearstler, Vogue, 12 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bookworms
Noun
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After five wild seasons, the series finale of Netflix’s global phenomenon brought the journey of Hawkins’ finest nerds to a dramatic close, vanishing Vecna for good.—
Yohana Desta,
Rolling Stone,
4 Jan. 2026
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And yes, horoscope nerds, that means there’s some astrology in the mix, too.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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The pissed off punk rockers, the hopelessly antisocial geeks, and the kids doing drugs.—
David Alvarado,
Time,
15 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Bookworms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bookworms. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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