waggle

American  

[wag-uhl] / ˈwæg əl /

verb (used without object)

waggled, waggling

1. to wobble or shake, especially while in motion.

   The ball waggled slowly to a stop. The leaves of the tree waggled in the wind.

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verb (used with object)

waggled, waggling

1. to move up and down or from side to side in a short, rapid manner; wag.

   to waggle one's head.

2. Golf. to make a waggle with (a golf club).

noun

1. a waggling motion.

2. Golf. a swinging movement made with a golf club to and fro over the ball prior to a stroke.

waggle British  

/ ˈwæɡəl /

verb

1. to move or cause to move with a rapid shaking or wobbling motion

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noun

1. a rapid shaking or wobbling motion

Other Word Forms

• wagglingly adverb
• waggly adjective

Etymology

Origin of waggle

First recorded in 1585–95; wag + -le

Example Sentences

Mr. Kellerman stretches his legs straight out in front of him and waggles his sandaled feet.

From Literature

One crooked finger emerged from the sable folds and waggled from side to side, as if it were too much trouble for the princess to actually shake her head in disbelief.

From Literature

The girl squeezed her head with both hands and waggled her tongue from side to side.

From Literature

To the children’s delight, the admiral faked a gruesome death by snakebite, clutching his chest and staggering to the ground while his tongue waggled out the side of his mouth.

From Literature

Every day, new people came, some people left, but the constant was Syd, his presence, his waggle, his ability to give unexpected joy.

From Los Angeles Times