twerk

American  

[twurk] / twɜrk /

verb (used without object)

1. to dance by thrusting or shaking the buttocks and hips while in a squatting or bent-over position, often to music originating in African American and Caribbean culture.

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verb (used with object)

1. to thrust or shake (the buttocks or hips) while in a squatting or bent-over position as part of a dance often done to music originating in African American and Caribbean culture.

noun

1. a dance or dance move involving thrusting or shaking the buttocks and hips while squatting or bent over, often done to music originating in African American and Caribbean culture.

Etymology

Origin of twerk

An Americanism first recorded in 1990–95; possibly an alteration of work, as in work it “to show off one's body through movement or posing”; may be related to the earlier (1820–30) sense “a twisting or jerking movement,” from tw(ist) ( def. ) + (j)erk ¹

Example Sentences

Twerk first appeared in 2001 but wasn’t added until 2015.

From Slate • Mar. 26, 2020

Male Black Widow Spiders Must Twerk or Become DinnerWhen your mate is twice your size, a special dance is in order.

From Slate • Jan. 23, 2014

Male Black Widow Spiders Must Twerk or Become DinnerWhen your mate is twice your size, a special dance is in order.

From Slate • Jan. 23, 2014