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.

---

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

---

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 jiggled the glass, caught the sun, and dazzling light danced around and around on the silken door.

From Literature

It was jiggling with delight at the prospect of telling Mama and Daddy about my day.

From Literature

The knob jiggles, the door opens, a moth flies inside, and a lady with gray hair sticks her head out.

From Literature

Yes, my audience giggled dutifully at the jiggling Jell-O salads and drooled over the groovy conversation pits in the Richards’ living room, the only super lair I’d ever live in.

From Los Angeles Times

I’ve spent entire evenings Googling ranch dressing varietals, decoding the semiotics of suburban chain restaurant menus, pondering the subtle thrill of foods that jiggle.

From Salon

Related Words

• fidget
• shimmy
• twitch
• wiggle