- to move with a wriggling motion; writhe
- to feel deep mental discomfort, guilt, embarrassment, etc
- a squirming movement
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
squirm /skwɜrm/USA pronunciation
v. [no object]
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to twist the body, as when feeling discomfort, distress, etc.:He squirmed in his seat during the lecture.
n. [countable]
- the act of squirming;
a squirming movement.
squirm (skwûrm),USA pronunciation
v.i.
n.
squirm′er, n.
squirm′ing•ly, adv.
- to wriggle or writhe.
- to feel or display discomfort or distress, as from reproof, embarrassment, pain, etc.:He squirmed under the judge's questioning.
n.
- the act of squirming;
a squirming or wriggling movement.
- of expressive origin, originally, perh. echoing worm 1685–95
squirm′ing•ly, adv.
- 1. . turn, twist.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
squirm /skwɜːm/ vb (intransitive)