squirm
pronunciation
How to pronounce squirm in British English:
UK [skwɜ:m]
How to pronounce squirm in American English:
US [skwɜrm]
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- Noun:
- the act of wiggling
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- Verb:
- to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)
Word Origin
- squirm (v.)
- 1690s, originally referring to eels, of unknown origin; sometimes associated with worm or swarm, but perhaps imitative. Figurative sense "to be painfully affected, to writhe inside" is from 1804. Related: Squirmed; squirming. As a noun from 1839.
Example
- 1. His words are making me squirm in my chair .
- 2. I doubt it : in my experience it is hard to squirm and listen at the same time .
- 3. Telling someone that they are useless is a miserable thing to do because they will get upset , and you will squirm and feel really beastly .