earworm

noun

ear·​worm ˈir-ˌwərm How to pronounce earworm (audio)
1
2
: a song or melody that keeps repeating in one's mind

Examples of earworm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But each title in UFO 50 boasts exquisite attention to detail, from excellent character design and pixel art to catchy chiptune earworms. Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 16 Sep. 2024 Petras pulls her weight here as well, with her breathy vocals giving a classic Kylie vibe with the song’s earworm melody. Billboard Staff, Billboard, 6 Sep. 2024 After countless iterations of creators mimicking the hypnotic hip gyrations to Laila!’s trance-inducing voice, her internet earworm entered Billboard’s TikTok charts at Number Four in May. Elise Brisco, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2024 Basking in the Glow, a radiant bounty of fuzzy guitars and earworm melodies that neatly splits the difference between the chug of the Get Up Kids and the twinkle of Death Cab for Cutie. Ben Salmon, SPIN, 9 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for earworm 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'earworm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of earworm was in 1802

Dictionary Entries Near earworm

Cite this Entry

“Earworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/earworm. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!