Word Explorer

Earworm

/ˈɪəwɜːm/

A tune that keeps replaying in one's head or that one keeps thinking about, especially if unwanted.

📖 Definitions of "Earworm"

noun
  1. 1

    A tune that keeps replaying in one's head or that one keeps thinking about, especially if unwanted.

  2. 2

    (originally United States) Short for corn earworm (“larva of the moths Helicoverpa zea (syn. Heliothis zea) and Helicoverpa armigera, which are agricultural pests”).

  3. 3

    An earwig.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Earworm"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

WordDefinition
cornnoun(Commonwealth, but not Australia or New Zealand, uncountable) Any cereal plant (or its grain) that is the main crop or staple of a country or region.
ear-wormnounAlternative form of earworm. [A tune that keeps replaying in one's head or that one keeps thinking about, especially if unwanted.]
ear wormnounAlternative form of earworm. [A tune that keeps replaying in one's head or that one keeps thinking about, especially if unwanted.]
brainwormnoun(figurative, informal) A song or melody that keeps playing inside of one's mind.
broken recordnoun(idiomatic) Someone or something that constantly repeats itself, causing annoyance.
repetendnoun(mathematics) A repeated part in repeating decimals.
earachenoun(medicine) A pain in the middle or inner ear.
ringnoun(physical) A solid object in the shape of a circle.
earsorenounSomething which is displeasing to the ear- for instance, loud noises or bad music.
earworknoun(humorous) The practice of listening.
ear candynoun(US, colloquial, music) Light popular music that has an instant appeal but no lasting impact or significance.
earrapenounAlternative form of ear rape. [(slang, derogatory, often offensive) Highly unpleasant or cacophonous sounds or music.]
echonounA reflected sound that is heard again by its initial observer.
earwiggingverbAn attempt to influence by persistent confidential argument or talk.
undersongnoun(figuratively) Subordinate and underlying idea, meaning or atmosphere; undertone.
warblingnounA sound that warbles.
running gagnounAn ongoing joke, one that is regularly repeated or continued.
choonnoun(British, nonstandard) A song or track, especially one that is catchy.
catchnoun(countable) The act of seizing or capturing.
ear-rapenounAlternative form of ear rape. [(slang, derogatory, often offensive) Highly unpleasant or cacophonous sounds or music.]

Words Strongly Associated with "Earworm"

These words statistically appear in the same text as "earworm" (Google Books Ngrams).

🎨 Adjectives for "Earworm"

Popular adjectives used to describe this word in books.

📝 Common Phrases with "Earworm"

Words that come before

Words that come after

Translate “Earworm” into Another Language

Pick a language — the word will be pre-filled in the translator.

🔗 Explore Related Words