earworm

¹ American  

[eer-wurm] / ˈɪərˌwɜrm /

noun

1. a tune or part of a song that repeats in one’s mind.

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verb (used with object)

1. to work (itself or its way) into a person’s mind.

   The Pepsi jingles have earwormed their way into my head.

earworm ² American  

[eer-wurm] / ˈɪərˌwɜrm /

noun

1. corn earworm.

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earworm British  

/ ˈɪəˌwɜːm /

noun

1. informal an irritatingly catchy tune

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Etymology

Origin of earworm¹

First recorded in 1980–85; loan translation of German Ohrwurm “catchy tune, earwig”

Origin of earworm¹

First recorded in 1880–85; ear ² ( def. ) + worm ( def. ) (in the sense “small creeping animal”)

Example Sentences

The song that'll take them over the top is a trashy pop earworm called Internet Girl.

From BBC

Even a recurrent but unadorned lyric like “I hunger and thirst” becomes an instant earworm.

From Salon

Throw in a rotating, addictive playlist of earworms and humorous commercial bumpers, and every moment of “Haikyu!!” feels precious.

From Salon

Beyond being played in almost every festive setting, the eternally cheery earworm has tied for yet another record this year.

From Los Angeles Times

Because it’s like an earworm for me now.

From Los Angeles Times