First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1wriggle
verb wrig·gle \ˈri-gəl\
: to twist from side to side with small quick movements like a worm
: to move forward by twisting and turning
wrig·gledwrig·gling \-g(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of WRIGGLE
intransitive verb
1
: to move the body or a bodily part to and fro with short writhing motions like a worm : squirm
2
: to move or advance by twisting and turning
3
: to extricate or insinuate oneself or reach a goal as if by wriggling
transitive verb
1
: to cause to move in short quick contortions
2
: to introduce, insinuate, or bring into a state or place by or as if by wriggling
— wrig·gly \-g(ə-)lē\ adjective
See wriggle defined for English-language learners
See wriggle defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of WRIGGLE
Middle English, from or akin to Middle Low German wriggeln to wriggle; akin to Old English wrigian to turn — more at wry
Related to WRIGGLE
2wriggle
noun
Definition of WRIGGLE
1
: a short or quick writhing motion or contortion
2
: a formation or marking of sinuous design
First Known Use of WRIGGLE
1709
WRIGGLING Defined for Kids
wriggle
verb wrig·gle \ˈri-gəl\
wrig·gledwrig·gling
Definition of WRIGGLE for Kids
2
: to advance by twisting and turning <Her dog … would wriggle under the fence and run about … — Lois Lowry, Number the Stars>
Headscratcher for WRIGGLE
Take the “r” out of wriggle and you have one of its synonyms: wiggle!
Learn More About WRIGGLE
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up wriggle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).