earthworm

[ urth-wurm ]

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.

earthworm

/ 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 lumbricoid

Word History and Origins

Origin of earthworm¹

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

Example Sentences

They evolved to specialize on earthworms, fishes, frogs, slugs, eels—even other snakes.

From Popular-Science

Wriggling in the exposed dirt are several soil-enriching earthworms.

From Washington Post

The earthworms already in your yard will naturally gravitate to it.

From Popular-Science

These jumping earthworms, which came from Asia, are known for their wild thrashing behavior.

From Science News For Students

Jumping worms also consume more nutrients than other earthworms, turning soil into dry granular pellets that resemble coffee grounds or ground beef — Henshue calls it “taco meat.”

From Science News

Rossellini enthusiastically acts out various sex acts while costumed as an earthworm, a spider, a bee, and other invertebrates.

From The Daily Beast

He ate the slugs eagerly and seemed to enjoy tugging at wriggling bits of earthworm.

From Project Gutenberg

The earthworm, the cockroach, and the bed-bug are regarded as peculiarly disgusting, and all have a particularly offensive odour.

From Project Gutenberg

It is of a greyish-red colour and in size and general appearance like the common earthworm.

From Project Gutenberg

The robin hears the earthworm burrowing his course under the ground; the bloodhound follows a scent that is two days old.

From Project Gutenberg

They seemed to be truly amphibious animals while I felt very much of an earthworm.

From Project Gutenberg