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

She jiggles her phone from side to side, her hopeful gaze sliding back and forth between us.

From Literature

The astronomical clock in any case was so jarred and jiggled by the constant rattle of automobile traffic in the narrow street outside that it was no longer the precision instrument it had been.

From Literature

Mrs. Kuen gazed into her cup, jiggling it to swirl the tea.

From Literature

Her eyes staring straight ahead, Helen jiggles her arm so I know the brush was intentional.

From Literature

Kylie Jenner kept rubbing and patting Chalamet’s hand while he nervously jiggled his right leg.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fidget
• shimmy
• twitch
• wiggle