squirm
[ skwurm ]
/ skwɜrm /
verb (used without object)
to wriggle or writhe.
to feel or display discomfort or distress, as from reproof, embarrassment, pain, etc.: He squirmed under the judge's questioning.
noun
the act of squirming; a squirming or wriggling movement.
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Origin of squirm
First recorded in 1685–95; of expressive orig., perhaps echoing worm
OTHER WORDS FROM squirm
squirm·er, nounsquirm·ing·ly, adverbun·squirm·ing, adjectiveWords nearby squirm
squirearch, squirearchy, squiredom, squireen, squireling, squirm, squirmy, squirrel, squirrel away, squirrel cage, squirrel corn
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for squirming
British Dictionary definitions for squirming
squirm
/ (skwɜːm) /
verb (intr)
to move with a wriggling motion; writhe
to feel deep mental discomfort, guilt, embarrassment, etc
noun
a squirming movement
Derived forms of squirm
squirmer, nounsquirming, adjectivesquirmingly, adverbWord Origin for squirm
C17: of imitative origin (perhaps influenced by worm)
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