squiggle

American  

[skwig-uhl] / ˈskwɪg əl /

noun

1. a short, irregular curve or twist, as in writing or drawing.

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verb (used without object)

squiggled, squiggling

1. to move in or appear as squiggles.

   His handwriting squiggled across the page.

verb (used with object)

squiggled, squiggling

1. to form in or cause to appear as squiggles; scribble.

squiggle British  

/ ˈskwɪɡəl /

noun

1. a mark or movement in the form of a wavy line; curlicue

2. an illegible scrawl

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verb

1. (intr) to wriggle

2. (intr) to form or draw squiggles

3. (tr) to make into squiggles

Other Word Forms

• squiggler noun
• squiggly adjective

Etymology

Origin of squiggle

First recorded in 1830–40; blend of squirm and wriggle

Example Sentences

Richards’s signature style is to break down complex behavioral-finance concepts into minimalist line drawings — sometimes just a squiggle — with only a few words.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

"That's what happened here. We had all sort of noticed this fishhook squiggle on the rock. It was pretty prominent because it was really, really deep."

From Science Daily • Nov. 18, 2024

In other scenes, such as one where he's specifically asked his name, squiggle lines appear over his lips, suggesting that a spell has been cast to prevent him from revealing himself.

From Salon • Sep. 19, 2024

Grooves in the hillside squiggle down toward a pasture and bike path at its base.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 23, 2024

I pull out a book and open it, but the letters squiggle and dance.

From "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt