jiggle

American  

[jig-uhl] / ˈdʒɪg əl /

verb (used with or without object)

jiggled, jiggling

1. to move up and down or to and fro with short, quick jerks.

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noun

1. a jiggling movement.

jiggle British  

/ ˈdʒɪɡəl /

verb

1. to move or cause to move up and down or to and fro with a short jerky motion

   to jiggle the door handle

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noun

1. a short jerky motion

Other Word Forms

• jiggler noun
• jiggly adjective

Etymology

Origin of jiggle

First recorded in 1835–40; jig ² + -le

Example Sentences

It took some time as the stove barely fit on the sled and had to be jiggled and shuffled around to get it down between the side rails.

From Literature

She looks toward the ceiling, jiggling her head slightly, as though she’s doing some mental math regarding the track list.

From Los Angeles Times

I moved out of his way, and he took a turn at jiggling and wriggling the drawer.

From Literature

My old heart started turning somersaults; and something that felt like a thousand-legged centipede jiggled its way up my spine.

From Literature

The miller laughed and his big belly jiggled.

From Literature

Related Words

• fidget
• shimmy
• twitch
• wiggle