OpenSynonym

waggle

/ˈwæɡəl/

NOUN

1. A wobbling or back-and-forth movement

A movement involving repeated, short, or irregular motions from side to side.

1.1. Unsteady or oscillating movement

A repeated or irregular movement in which something wobbles, sways, or shifts from side to side.

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1.2. Golf club preparation movement

The small preliminary movement of a golf club head back and forth over the ball before a golfer makes a stroke.

Synonyms

  • club waggle
  • pre-shot movement

Related Words

  • golf swing
  • backswing
  • putting

VERB

2. To move with short, quick motions

To move something with short, quick, repeated movements, causing it to wobble or shake.

2.1. Shaking or moving a body part

To move a body part, such as a finger, tail, or toe, with short, quick, repeated motions.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The puppy's tail started to waggle with excitement as it saw its favorite toy.
  • Children often waggle their fingers in the air while trying to express their imaginative stories.
  • The enthusiastic toddler attempted to waggle his toes along with the catchy nursery rhyme.

Related Words

  • flap
  • flutter
  • quiver
  • wriggle
  • shimmy

2.2. Moving an object rapidly back and forth

To move or shake an object with repeated short movements, making it swing, wobble, or oscillate.

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VERB

3. To sway or move from side to side

To move from side to side with a loose, unsteady, or waddling motion.

3.1. Swaying or wobbling from side to side

To move repeatedly from one side to another in an unsteady or swinging manner.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The dance instructor demonstrated the proper way to waggle hips during the lively routine.
  • As the bird perched on the branch, it began to waggle its feathers in a display of courtship.

Related Words

3.2. Moving with a waddling gait

To move with an unsteady side-to-side motion while walking, resembling the movement of a person or animal that waddles.

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