earthworm

American  

[urth-wurm] / ˈɜrθˌwɜrm /

noun

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.

---

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

---

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.

Etymology

Origin of earthworm

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

Example Sentences

The study also examined the impacts of the discs cut from the teabags on a species of earthworm, Eisenia fetida, which has a critical role in soil nutrient turnover as it consumes organic matter.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2024

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

From Slate • Mar. 8, 2024

Looking for answers on our own planet begins with the sandworm’s namesake—the humble earthworm.

From Slate • Mar. 8, 2024

With the aid of machine learning, the team used the combined databases to reconstruct assumed introduction pathways and spread of alien earthworm species.

From Science Daily • Feb. 9, 2024

I knew about labs, knew we would be studying cells and life systems this year, and that by midyear, we would dissect an earthworm.

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin