wormy

American  

[wur-mee] / ˈwɜr mi /

adjective

wormier, wormiest

1. containing a worm or worms; contaminated with worms.

2. damaged or bored into by worms; worm-eaten.

3. wormlike; groveling; low.

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wormy British  

/ ˈwɜːmɪ /

adjective

1. worm-infested or worm-eaten

2. resembling a worm in appearance, ways, or condition

3. (of wood) having irregular small tunnels bored into it and tracked over its surface, made either by worms or artificially

4. low or grovelling

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Other Word Forms

• unworminess noun
• unwormy adjective
• worminess noun

Etymology

Origin of wormy

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; worm, -y ¹

Example Sentences

But its wormy shape gives it the ability to swim right into the gills of fish, where it drinks its fill of blood.

From Salon

Back in the lab, they filmed each family during the two months from hatching until the wormy amphibians became independent.

From New York Times

I couldn’t bear to be around his wormy self after what had happened.

From Literature

The stale, wormy biscuits could break your teeth.

From Literature

His last three books have been minor, fantastical stories, wormy with weird wit.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• ravaged