# jiggle

/ˈdʒɪɡəɫ/ (US) · /dʒˈɪɡəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/jiggle
Updated: 2026-06-22

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.