earwig

1 of 2

noun

ear·wig ˈir-ˌwig How to pronounce earwig (audio)

: any of numerous insects (order Dermaptera) having slender many-jointed antennae and a pair of cerci resembling forceps at the end of the body

earwig

2 of 2

verb

earwigged; earwigging

transitive verb

: to annoy or attempt to influence by private talk

Did you know?

Earwigs are small insects that were once thought to crawl into the ears of sleeping people. This isn't true - earwigs prefer moist, dark places under leaves and rocks to human ears - but the superstition led people to name the insect ēarwicga, Old English for "ear insect." Over time, people connected the idea of having an insect in one's ear to situations that involve whispering or speaking privately into someone's ear. The noun earwig came to also mean "a whispering busybody" (though this sense is now considered archaic), and the verb earwig evolved to refer to the acts of such meddlers. In British English, the word is more commonly used to mean "eavesdrop," as in "earwigged on their conversation at the party."

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Earwigs, especially babies (look like a mini earwig) can get to some of the top roots.

oregonlive, 10 May 2020 For me, the quickest and easiest way was to record the lines, put in an earwig (a near-invisible wireless speaker) and act in the scene imagining myself there.

John Wenzel, The Know, 24 Oct. 2019 The earwigs should fall onto the cloth and can then be disposed of.

The Editors, Good Housekeeping, 27 July 2018 The downside is that earwigs are in heaven, enjoying the mulch cover.

Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, 22 June 2018 Other kids were debating whether an insect was a centipede, an earwig, or some other sort of beetle.

Conor Williams, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2018 In my experience, by the time the corn is ripe there are no visible silks because earwigs have eaten them.

Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, 28 Mar. 2018 Pollination occurred before the earwigs had their way.

Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, 28 Mar. 2018 Potential pests include snails, slugs, earwigs, aphids, leafminers, thrips and whiteflies.

Debbie Arrington, sacbee, 28 July 2017 See More

单词	earwig
释义	earwig 1 of 2 noun ear·wig ˈir-ˌwig : any of numerous insects (order Dermaptera) having slender many-jointed antennae and a pair of cerci resembling forceps at the end of the body earwig 2 of 2 verb earwigged; earwigging transitive verb : to annoy or attempt to influence by private talk Did you know? Earwigs are small insects that were once thought to crawl into the ears of sleeping people. This isn't true - earwigs prefer moist, dark places under leaves and rocks to human ears - but the superstition led people to name the insect ēarwicga, Old English for "ear insect." Over time, people connected the idea of having an insect in one's ear to situations that involve whispering or speaking privately into someone's ear. The noun earwig came to also mean "a whispering busybody" (though this sense is now considered archaic), and the verb earwig evolved to refer to the acts of such meddlers. In British English, the word is more commonly used to mean "eavesdrop," as in "earwigged on their conversation at the party." Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web Noun Earwigs, especially babies (look like a mini earwig) can get to some of the top roots. oregonlive, 10 May 2020 For me, the quickest and easiest way was to record the lines, put in an earwig (a near-invisible wireless speaker) and act in the scene imagining myself there. John Wenzel, The Know, 24 Oct. 2019 The earwigs should fall onto the cloth and can then be disposed of. The Editors, Good Housekeeping, 27 July 2018 The downside is that earwigs are in heaven, enjoying the mulch cover. Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, 22 June 2018 Other kids were debating whether an insect was a centipede, an earwig, or some other sort of beetle. Conor Williams, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2018 In my experience, by the time the corn is ripe there are no visible silks because earwigs have eaten them. Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, 28 Mar. 2018 Pollination occurred before the earwigs had their way. Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, 28 Mar. 2018 Potential pests include snails, slugs, earwigs, aphids, leafminers, thrips and whiteflies. Debbie Arrington, sacbee, 28 July 2017 See More Word History Etymology Noun Middle English erwigge, from Old English ēarwicga, from ēare ear + wicga insect First Known Use Noun before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above Verb 1804, in the meaning defined above Kids Definition earwig noun ear·wig ˈir-ˌwig : an insect with long slender feelers and a part at the end of its body that pinches and is used for self-defense
随便看	intriguant intriguante intriguants intrigue intrigued intriguer beach heather beach hopper beach morning glory beach mouse beach pea beach pine beach plover beach plum beach pool beach ridge beach robin beach rose beach seine beach strawberry beach tan beach towel beach umbrella beach volleyball beach wagon

earwig

noun

verb

Did you know?

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun