earworm

Meaning

An earworm is a catchy song or tune that runs continually through a person's mind. It refers to that annoying but common experience of having a song stuck in your head that you cannot stop hummimg or thinking about. It is typically used as a singular noun.

Examples

• That new pop song is such an earworm; I've been humming it all morning.

  That new pop song is such an earworm; I've been humming it all morning.

• I woke up with a terrible earworm, and it's driving me crazy.

  I woke up with a terrible earworm, and it's driving me crazy.

• Commercial jingles are designed to be earworms so you don't forget the brand.

  Commercial jingles are designed to be earworms so you don't forget the brand.

• Do you have any tips on how to get rid of an earworm?

  Do you have any tips on how to get rid of an earworm?

• That acoustic version of the song is a total earworm.

  That acoustic version of the song is a total earworm.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I have a song worm in my head.

  ✓ I have an earworm.

  Song worm is a literal translation from other languages (like the German word 'Ohrwurm'). In English, the correct term is always 'earworm'.

• ✗ That melody is earworming me.

  ✓ That melody is stuck in my head.

  Earworm is almost always used as a noun, not as a verb. To express the action, use 'stuck in my head'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• That commercial jingle is a total ___; I can't stop singing it.

  💡 A catchy song stuck in your head.

  Show answer

  earworm

• I've had this annoying ___ since I woke up this morning.

  💡 Singular noun for a song you can't stop thinking about.

  Show answer

  earworm