often attributive
1
a
: earthworm
broadly
: an annelid worm
b
: any of numerous relatively small elongated usually naked and soft-bodied animals (such as a grub, pinworm, tapeworm, shipworm, or slowworm)
2
a
: a human being who is an object of contempt, loathing, or pity : wretch
b
: something that torments or devours from within
4
: helminthiasis
—usually plural
5
: something (such as a mechanical device) spiral or vermiculate in form or appearance: such as
a
: the thread of a screw
b
: a short revolving screw whose threads gear with the teeth of a worm wheel or a rack
c
: archimedes' screw
also
: a conveyor working on the principle of such a screw
6
: a usually small self-contained and self-replicating computer program that invades computers on a network and usually performs a destructive action
wormed; worming; worms
: to move or proceed sinuously or insidiously
1
a
: to proceed or make (one's way) insidiously or deviously
… worm their way into positions of power …—Bill Franzen
b
: to insinuate or introduce (oneself) by devious or subtle means
c
: to cause to move or proceed in or as if in the manner of a worm
2
: to wind rope or yarn spirally round and between the strands of (a cable or rope) before serving
3
: to obtain or extract by artful or insidious questioning or by pleading, asking, or persuading
—usually used with out of
finally wormed the truth out of him
4
: to treat (an animal) with a drug to destroy or expel parasitic worms
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Cite this Entry
“Worm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worm. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.
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