Word
squirming
Phoneticssquirm·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈskwɝmɪŋ/
UK/skwˈɜːmɪŋ/
Definition
v. to twist and turn your body because you feel uncomfortable, nervous, or embarrassed.
v. to twist or wriggle the body from side to side, typically from discomfort, embarrassment, or restlessness. Often implies involuntary movement under physical or emotional pressure.
Examples
“The little boy is squirming in his chair.”
“She kept squirming during the job interview because the questions made her nervous.”
“The puppy kept squirming with excitement as the children tried to hold it still for a photograph in the garden.”
Examples
simple
“The little boy is squirming in his chair.”
contextual
“She kept squirming during the job interview because the questions made her nervous.”
complex
“The puppy kept squirming with excitement as the children tried to hold it still for a photograph in the garden.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “squirming” in context.
Verb
01. keep squirming
“The puppy kept squirming while I tried to dry it.”
verb + noun
02. squirming in seat
“She was squirming in her seat during the difficult questions.”
verb + prep + noun
03. squirming under scrutiny
“The minister was squirming under scrutiny over the scandal.”
verb + prep + noun
04. squirming with embarrassment
“He was squirming with embarrassment as his mistakes were read out.”
verb + prep + noun
05. start squirming
“The children started squirming after ten minutes in their chairs.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. awkward squirming
“His awkward squirming showed how embarrassed he felt.”
adj + noun
07. nervous squirming
“We could hear nervous squirming from the candidates before the interview.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. bout of squirming
“After a brief bout of squirming, the baby finally fell asleep.”
noun + prep + noun
09. make the audience squirm
“The graphic details made the audience squirm uncomfortably.”
10. squirm in your seat
“I was squirming in my seat throughout the embarrassing speech.”
11. squirm under pressure
“The CEO squirmed under pressure from reporters.”
12. squirm with embarrassment
“She squirmed with embarrassment when her name was called out.”
Usage
The verb is intransitive and takes no direct object.
Real-World Examples
“Layers of squirming black soldier fly larvae fill large aluminium bins stacked 10-high in a warehouse outside of Vancouver.” Related words
- 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
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/squirming