inchworm

American  

[inch-wurm] / ˈɪntʃˌwɜrm /

noun

1. a caterpillar that moves along by bringing the rear end of its body forward and then advancing the front end, a motion known as looping; the larva of any geometrid moth.

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inchworm British  

/ ˈɪntʃˌwɜːm /

noun

1. another name for a measuring worm

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Etymology

Origin of inchworm

First recorded in 1860–65; inch ¹ + worm

Example Sentences

An army’s progress across country is compared to “the movement of an inchworm, which stretches forward to a spot, then waits while the rest of its body catches up.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

This should make it possible for it to, for example, wander across a surface -- similar to an inchworm that pulls itself along a branch in its own characteristic style.

From Science Daily • Oct. 19, 2023

And only a psychopath would raise a shoe to an inchworm, ladybug or other plausible picture-book protagonist.

From Washington Post • Aug. 23, 2022

When the skins are oriented in different ways, the overall structure can create different motions: A foam cylinder wrapped with robotic skin can either push itself forward like a skier or wriggle like an inchworm.

From Salon • Jan. 26, 2020

Years later their own eyes would glaze as they cupped their chins in remembrance of the inchworm smiles, the squatting haunches, the track-rail legs straddling broken chairs.

From "Sula" by Toni Morrison