Standard Lemma guide

jiggle

noun · verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈd͡ʒɪɡəl/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɪɡəl
  • CMU ARPABET: JH IH1 G AH0 L Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A relatively weak shaking movement.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Give the key a jiggle and see if it opens.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Titillating depictions of scantily-clad female bodies in motion, especially in action media genres.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: T&A

3

verb

Meaning 3

To shake something gently; to rattle or wiggle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Jiggle the handle and see if the water stops.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To shake, rattle, or wiggle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Examples

  • The jelly jiggled in the bowl for a few moments after it was set down.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

a slight irregular shaking motion

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: joggle

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: shaking

6

verb

Meaning 6

move to and fro

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Don't jiggle your finger while the nurse is putting on the bandage!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: joggle, wiggle

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: shake, agitate

Narrower terms: wag, waggle

History

Etymology

From jig + -le (frequentative suffix).

Across languages

Translations

21 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: heiluttaa — To shake something gently
  • Finnish: hytkyttää — To shake something gently
  • French: remuer légèrement — To shake something gently
  • Georgian: რწევა (rc̣eva) — To shake something gently
  • Georgian: რხევა (rxeva) — To shake something gently
  • Georgian: ქანაობა (kanaoba) — To shake something gently
  • Japanese: 揺さ振る (yusaburu) — To shake something gently
  • Russian: трясти́ (trjastí) — To shake something gently
  • Bulgarian: треса се (tresa se) — To shake, rattle, or wiggle
  • Bulgarian: полюлявам се (poljuljavam se) — To shake, rattle, or wiggle
  • Finnish: heilua — To shake, rattle, or wiggle
  • Finnish: hytkyä — To shake, rattle, or wiggle
  • Finnish: hölskyä — To shake, rattle, or wiggle
  • Finnish: hyllyä — To shake, rattle, or wiggle
  • French: ballotter — To shake, rattle, or wiggle
  • Georgian: ნჯღრევა (nǯɣreva) — To shake, rattle, or wiggle
  • Georgian: ჯანჯღარი (ǯanǯɣari) — To shake, rattle, or wiggle
  • Ingrian: hytissä — To shake, rattle, or wiggle
  • Māori: hīkaikai — To shake, rattle, or wiggle
  • Portuguese: agitar — To shake, rattle, or wiggle
  • Russian: трясти́сь (trjastísʹ) — To shake, rattle, or wiggle