jiggle

verb

jig·​gle ˈji-gəl How to pronounce jiggle (audio)
jiggled; jiggling ˈji-g(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce jiggle (audio)
Synonyms of jigglenext

transitive verb

: to cause to move with quick little jerks or oscillating motions

intransitive verb

: to move from or as if from being jiggled
jiggle noun
jiggly
ˈji-g(ə-)lē How to pronounce jiggle (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of jiggle

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Examples of jiggle in a Sentence

Try to avoid jiggling the camera. His belly jiggled like a bowlful of jelly.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The board began to shake and flash purple; my whole body jiggled. — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026 Portale also points out that the mattress doesn’t squeak or jiggle when her cat jumps on the bed in the middle of the night. — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 19 Mar. 2026 The bottom slat was unhinged and Crump jiggled the crate to dump the oranges into the water. — Tom Hudson, Sun Sentinel, 24 Mar. 2026 Young Michael has little confidence and goes through the motions of performance, not so much dancing as jiggling in place. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for jiggle

Word History

Etymology

frequentative of jig entry 2

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of jiggle was in 1836

Rhymes for jiggle

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Browse Nearby Words

jiggish
jiggle
jiggly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jiggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jiggle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

jiggle

verb
jig·​gle ˈjig-əl How to pronounce jiggle (audio)
jiggled; jiggling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce jiggle (audio)
: to move or cause to move with quick little jerks
jiggle noun

More from Merriam-Webster on jiggle

Nglish: Translation of jiggle for Spanish Speakers

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