earthworm

American  

[urth-wurm] / ˈɜrθˌwɜrm /

noun

• earthworms
  plural

1. any one of numerous annelid worms that burrow in soil and feed on soil nutrients and decaying organic matter.

2. Archaic. a mean or groveling person.

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earthworm British  

/ ˈɜːθˌwɜːm /

noun

1. any of numerous oligochaete worms of the genera Lumbricus, Allolobophora, Eisenia, etc, which burrow in the soil and help aerate and break up the ground

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Regionalisms

The earthworm, a commonly used bait for angling, is also called an angleworm in the Northern U.S. and a fishworm in the Northern and Midland U.S. and in New England. It is called a fishing worm in parts of the Midland and Southern U.S., and a wiggler in the Southern U.S. Because the worm often comes to the surface of the earth when the ground is cool or wet, it is also called a nightwalker in New England, a nightcrawler, chiefly in the Northern, North Midland, and Western U.S., and a dew worm, chiefly in the Inland North and Canada. It is also called a red worm in the North Central, South Midland, and Southern U.S.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• earthworms
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of earthworm

First recorded in 1400–50, earthworm is from the late Middle English word ertheworm. See earth, worm

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Explanation

An earthworm is a small, legless, tube-shaped animal that lives in soil. Gardeners are familiar with earthworms, which are common in healthy garden dirt. Earthworms are not only happy to burrow in the dirt of your garden, they're also incredibly useful — they improve the fertility of soil by converting its organic matter to humus, which helps plants grow. The burrowing of an earthworm is also good for the soil's structure, introducing small tunnels that allow it to drain and air to circulate throughout. They may not be pretty, but earthworms are very helpful.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

earthworm earthworms

In a wordless two-page spread, a dog lopes solemnly toward the pickle, trailed by a mournful earthworm.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

“In contrast to the earthworm, you don’t get a deformation of the body shape,” says Jayne.

From Slate ● Mar. 8, 2024

At least 70 imported earthworm species have colonized the continent, and represent a largely overlooked threat to native ecosystems, according to a new study by researchers at Stanford University, Sorbonne University, and other institutions.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 9, 2024

Across most of the lower 48 U.S. states and Mexico, there is about one alien earthworm for every two native species.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 9, 2024

If you cut them in two, each part simply grew back to form a whole earthworm.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Late in life, Darwin became infatuated with earthworms, a fitting preoccupation for an aging naturalist.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

Burning reed beds is a quick way to restore them, but everyone knew it should be avoided because it killed soil invertebrates, such as snails and earthworms.

From Slate ● Apr. 28, 2026

This nutrient rich material is created by red wiggler earthworms as they digest organic waste.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 12, 2026

The March full Moon is known as the Worm Moon as it refers to when earthworms start to emerge from the soil as the weather warms in springtime.

From BBC ● Mar. 3, 2026

And earthworms are the principal food of robins in the spring.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

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