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earworm
1[ eer-wurm ]
/ ˈɪərˌwɜrm /
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noun
a tune or part of a song that repeats in one’s mind.
verb (used with object)
to work (itself or its way) into a person’s mind: The Pepsi jingles have earwormed their way into my head.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of earworm
1First recorded in 1980–85; loan translation of German Ohrwurm “catchy tune, earwig”
Words nearby earworm
Other definitions for earworm (2 of 2)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use earworm in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for earworm
earworm
/ (ˈɪəˌwɜːm) /
noun
informal an irritatingly catchy tune
Word Origin for earworm
C20: from German Ohrwurm earwig
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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