wiggle
word
/ˈwɪɡəɫ/
WI-guhl
/wˈɪɡəl/
WI-guhl
Definition
To move something or yourself with short, quick movements from side to side or up and down, often in a playful or nervous way.
Usage & Nuances
'Wiggle' is informal and often used for parts of the body ('wiggle your fingers'), for playful movement, or when something is hard to keep still. Not as strong as 'shake' or 'twist'. Used a lot with children, pets, and small objects.
Spanish: menear - mover (pequeño movimiento) - retorcerPortuguese (BR): balançar - mexer (de um lado para o outro)Portuguese (PT): abanar - mexer (de um lado para o outro)Chinese (Simplified): 扭动 - 摆动Chinese (Traditional): 扭動 - 擺動Hindi: हिलाना - मटकानाArabic: يتلوى - يهتز (حركة صغيرة)Bengali: নাড়ানো - দুলানোRussian: покачивать - покачиваться - вилятьJapanese: くねくね動かす - くねくね動くVietnamese: lắc lư - ngọ nguậyKorean: 꼼지락거리다 - 흔들다Turkish: kıpırdatmak - oynatmakUrdu: ہلانا - مٹکاناIndonesian: menggoyang - menggeliat
Example Sentences
He couldn't stop wiggling during the long meeting.
natural
My dog does a funny wiggle when he's excited.
natural
Just wiggle a little if your seat feels uncomfortable.
natural
The worm started to wiggle on the ground.
basic
The baby likes to wiggle her toes.
basic
Please wiggle the key to open the door.
basic