SQUIRM


Meaning of SQUIRM in English

/ skwɜːm; NAmE skwɜːrm/ verb

1.

to move around a lot making small twisting movements, because you are nervous, uncomfortable, etc.

SYN wriggle :

[ v , usually + adv. / prep. ]

The children were squirming restlessly in their seats.

[ v - adj ]

Someone grabbed him but he managed to squirm free.

2.

[ v ] to feel great embarrassment or shame :

It made him squirm to think how badly he'd messed up the interview.

••

WORD ORIGIN

late 17th cent.: symbolic of writhing movement; probably associated with worm .

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.