verb / noun

wiggle

WIG-ul/ˈwɪɡl/

A small, quick side-to-side or twisting movement.

She wiggles her raised finger from side to side.

A close-up of a woman's raised hand with its index finger wiggling through a small side-to-side range.

Etymology

wiggleMiddle Englishto weave back and forth, undulate

Middle English wigelen described weaving back and forth or undulating. The modern sense keeps that repeated motion, focusing on small, quick movements from side to side.

In context

Our State Magazine0:36

I'm going to wiggle it side to side either using the oyster or your hand

How to Shuck: An Oyster Demonstration with Locals Seafood

More examples

The puppy gave its tail a wiggle.
He wiggled the loose handle.
Several worms were wiggling in the soil.

Forms

wiggle · wiggles · wiggled · wiggling

Similar words

wriggle: Wriggle often suggests twisting the whole body.
squirm: Squirm often suggests discomfort or an effort to escape.