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earworm

1

[ eer-wurm ]

noun

  1. a tune or part of a song that repeats in one’s mind.


verb (used with object)

  1. to work (itself or its way) into a person’s mind:

    The Pepsi jingles have earwormed their way into my head.

earworm

2

[ eer-wurm ]

earworm

/ ˈɪəˌɜː /

noun

  1. informal.
    an irritatingly catchy tune
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of earworm1

First recorded in 1980–85; loan translation of German Ohrwurm “catchy tune, earwig”

Origin of earworm2

First recorded in 1880–85; ear 2( def ) + worm ( def ) (in the sense “small creeping animal”)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of earworm1

C20: from German Ohrwurm earwig
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

With party hits like the earworm “Musty” and “Nun Major’s” subtle flex, they helped popularize a new spin of West Coast rap with danceable trap beats.

From

Nonetheless, he created earworms like the horn-powered “hello!” and the hypnotic “forever&more,” which individually have around 50 million Spotify streams.

From

The duo, both a product of La Industria, Inc., blends the Caribbean beat with earworm guitar strumming, a sure repeat for the holiday festivities or any dance party.

From

The earworms in the soundtrack "cluster neatly around entwined themes: spreading your wings versus the tug of homesickness; finding your path but daring also to lose it", he wrote.

From

But this seemingly simple request is steeped in cultural tradition, notable in narrative context and, given its catchy hook, likely to become Disney’s next inescapable earworm.

From

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