Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

wriggle

 - 2 dictionary results

wrig⋅gle

  [rig-uhl] verb, -gled, -gling, noun
Use wriggle in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to twist to and fro; writhe; squirm.
2. to move along by twisting and turning the body, as a worm or snake.
3. to make one's way by shifts or expedients (often fol. by out): to wriggle out of a difficulty.
–verb (used with object)
4. to cause to wriggle: to wriggle one's hips.
5. to bring, get, make, etc., by wriggling: to wriggle one's way through a narrow opening.
–noun
6. act of wriggling; a wriggling movement.
Origin:
1485–95; < MLG wriggelen (c. D wriggelen), freq. of *wriggen to twist, turn, akin to OE wrīgian to twist; see wry

Related forms:
wrig⋅gling⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To wriggle
wrig·gle   (rĭg'əl)   
v.   wrig·gled, wrig·gling, wrig·gles

v.   intr.

  1. To turn or twist the body with sinuous writhing motions; squirm.

  2. To proceed with writhing motions.

  3. To worm one's way into or out of a situation; insinuate or extricate oneself by sly or subtle means.

v.   tr.

  1. To move with a wriggling motion: wriggle a toe.

  2. To make (one's way, for example) by or as if by wriggling: He wriggled his way into favor.

n.  

  1. A wriggling movement.

  2. A sinuous path, line, or marking.


[Middle English wrigglen, perhaps from Middle Low German wriggeln; see wer-2 in Indo-European roots.]
wrig'gly adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see wriggle on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way