ENGLISH
REFERENCE

jiggle

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈdʒɪɡəɫ// UK //dʒˈɪɡəl// jig·gle
Definition

n. a small, quick movement that goes up and down or side to side. You might use this to describe how a phone moves when it rings or how a person moves their foot while waiting.

n. a small, quick, and often irregular movement, typically involving a slight bounce or sway. Informal in register; frequently used to describe mechanical vibrations or nervous body language.


SIMPLE

The phone started to jiggle on the table when it rang.

CONTEXTUAL

The nervous student could not keep his foot still, giving it a constant jiggle while waiting for the exam to start.

COMPLEX

The old engine produced a rhythmic jiggle that was felt through the entire cabin, a sound that had become a familiar comfort to the long-time crew.

Origin

From jig + -le (frequentative suffix).

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