0%

earwig

ear·wig
E e

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [eer-wig]
    • /ˈɪərˌwɪg/
    • /ˈɪə.wɪɡ/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [eer-wig]
    • /ˈɪərˌwɪg/

Definitions of earwig word

  • noun earwig any of numerous elongate, nocturnal insects of the order Dermaptera, having a pair of large, movable pincers at the rear of the abdomen. 1
  • verb with object earwig to fill the mind of with prejudice by insinuations. 1
  • noun earwig A small elongated insect with a pair of terminal appendages that resemble pincers. The females typically care for their eggs and young until they are grown. 1
  • noun earwig variety of beetle-like insect 1
  • countable noun earwig An earwig is a small, thin, brown insect that has a pair of claws at the back end of its body. 0
  • noun earwig any of various insects of the order Dermaptera, esp Forficula auricularia (common European earwig), which typically have an elongated body with small leathery forewings, semicircular membranous hindwings, and curved forceps at the tip of the abdomen 0

Information block about the term

Origin of earwig

First appearance:

before 1000
One of the 6% oldest English words
before 1000; Middle English erwigge, Old English ēarwicga ear insect; from the notion that it enters people's ears. See wiggle

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Earwig

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

earwig popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 74% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

earwig usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for earwig

verb earwig

  • overhear — to hear (speech or a speaker) without the speaker's intention or knowledge: I accidentally overheard what they were saying.

Top questions with earwig

  • what is an earwig?
  • what is a earwig?
  • how to get rid of earwig?
  • what does an earwig look like?
  • how big is an earwig?
  • how to get rid of earwig bug?
  • how to get rid of earwig infestation?
  • where does the name earwig come from?
  • what is an earwig bug?
  • why is an earwig called an earwig?
  • where did the name earwig come from?
  • what does an earwig do?
  • what does a earwig look like?
  • how to get rid of earwig bugs?
  • earwig how to get rid of in house?

See also

Matching words

Was this page helpful?
Yes No
Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page
Tell us why?