squiggly

[ skwig-lee ]

adjective

1. forming or containing short, often irregular curves or twists, as in writing or drawing:

   The bedsheets feature bright, happy colors, with fun polka-dot, squiggly, and swirly prints.

   If your screen shows no squiggly lines under the words, from the automatic spelling and grammar check, you’ve written a good letter.

Word History and Origins

Origin of squiggly¹

First recorded in 1890–95; squigg(le) ( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

One is rendered in a lifelike fashion, the other is a simply drawn cartoon, his smiling face just a few squiggly lines.

From Los Angeles Times

In archival footage of the original Luna Luna shows, for instance, Haring discusses his squiggly and arched shapes as if they are creatures from a fairy tale as he reminisces about a trip to Disneyland.

From Los Angeles Times

The moon transforms into a squiggly line in this long-exposure photo taken at Airport Loop Trail.

From Los Angeles Times

Landgraf said Herbert is the most prepared person he has met, recalling the detailed notes filled with Xs and O’s and impossibly precise squiggly lines, as if Herbert’s mind itself was a white board.

From Los Angeles Times

“From the shape of each of those squiggly lines, we can infer all kinds of things about the earth,” Pavlick said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• coiled
• curly
• curved
• sinuous