Word
jiggle
Phoneticsjig·gle, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdʒɪɡəɫ/
UK/dʒˈɪɡəl/
Countable noun
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.
Examples
“The phone started to jiggle on the table when it rang.”
“The nervous student could not keep his foot still, giving it a constant jiggle while waiting for the exam to start.”
“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.”
Examples
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.”
Etymology
From jig + -le (frequentative suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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