How to pronounce squirm
Say it like SKWURM. Squirm is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce squirm. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SKWURM
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Squirm pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SKWURMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of squirm
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SKWURM.
What does squirm mean?
- To twist one's body with snakelike motions.“The prisoner managed to squirm out of the straitjacket.”
- To twist in discomfort, especially from shame or embarrassment.“I recounted the embarrassing story in detail just to watch him squirm.”
- To evade a question, an interviewer etc.
- A twisting, snakelike movement of the body.
Where does squirm come from?
First recorded 1690's, originally used of eels; cognate with Scots squimmer (“to wriggle, squirm”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with squirm
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of squirm.
Questions about saying squirm
How do you pronounce squirm?
Say SKWURM. The American pronunciation is /skwɝm/. In British English it is /skwɜːm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in squirm?
Squirm is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SKWURM.
Is squirm pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /skwɜːm/ (SKWURM).