Wriggling Meaning in English

word · lemma: wriggle

US

ˈɹɪɡəɫ

RIG-uhl

UK

ɹˈɪɡlɪŋ

RIG-ling

Definition

Moving with small, twisting, or squirming motions, like a worm or child who can’t keep still.

Usage & Nuances

Usually describes the twisting or squirming motion of animals, children, or objects. It’s informal and often used to emphasize restlessness or discomfort. Common with words like 'worms', 'fish', or 'children'; less common for adults.

• Spanish: retorciéndose - moviéndose
• Portuguese (BR): se contorcendo
• Portuguese (PT): a contorcer-se
• Chinese (Simplified): 扭动 - 蠕动
• Chinese (Traditional): 扭動 - 蠕動
• Hindi: लहराते हुए - मचलते हुए
• Arabic: يتلوى - يتحرك
• Bengali: কুঁচকানো - পেঁচানো (শরীর বা কিছু নড়াচড়া করা)
• Russian: ёрзающий - извивающийся
• Japanese: くねくね動いている - もぞもぞしている
• Vietnamese: quằn quại - ngọ nguậy
• Korean: 꼼지락거리는 - 꿈틀거리는
• Turkish: kıvranan - kıpırdayan
• Urdu: تڑپتا ہوا - بل کھاتا ہوا
• Indonesian: menggeliat - menggeliat-geliat

Example Sentences

The worm was wriggling on the ground.

basic

The children kept wriggling in their seats.

basic

I saw a fish wriggling in the bucket.

basic

Stop wriggling and let me tie your shoes!

natural

He tried wriggling out of taking the test, but the teacher said no.

natural

She was wriggling with excitement when she heard the news.

natural