earthworm

American  

[urth-wurm] / ˈɜrθˌwɜrm /

noun

1. any one of numerous annelid worms that burrow in soil and feed on soil nutrients and decaying organic matter.

2. Archaic. a mean or groveling person.

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earthworm British  

/ ˈɜːθˌwɜːm /

noun

1. any of numerous oligochaete worms of the genera Lumbricus, Allolobophora, Eisenia, etc, which burrow in the soil and help aerate and break up the ground

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Regionalisms

The earthworm, a commonly used bait for angling, is also called an angleworm in the Northern U.S. and a fishworm in the Northern and Midland U.S. and in New England. It is called a fishing worm in parts of the Midland and Southern U.S., and a wiggler in the Southern U.S. Because the worm often comes to the surface of the earth when the ground is cool or wet, it is also called a nightwalker in New England, a nightcrawler, chiefly in the Northern, North Midland, and Western U.S., and a dew worm, chiefly in the Inland North and Canada. It is also called a red worm in the North Central, South Midland, and Southern U.S.

Etymology

Origin of earthworm

First recorded in 1400–50, earthworm is from the late Middle English word ertheworm. See earth, worm

Example Sentences

On smoothness and softness alone, this rules out any strong structural relation between an earthworm and Chalamet’s sandworm, which in the films appears to have some sort of free-edged plate ringing its body instead.

From Slate • Mar. 8, 2024

Their movement through the sand appears closer to the fluidity of a snake than to the stepwise undulations of an earthworm.

From Slate • Mar. 8, 2024

Across most of the lower 48 U.S. states and Mexico, there is about one alien earthworm for every two native species.

From Science Daily • Feb. 9, 2024

They found alien earthworm species in 97% of studied soils across North America, with alien occupation higher in the northern part of the continent and lower in the south and west.

From Science Daily • Feb. 9, 2024

Justin carefully peeled back the sides of the earthworm to reveal the gray gizzard, the glistening reproductive parts, like miniature white beans fresh from the can.

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin