Asked by: Dr. Kelly Fritsch
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Origin and usage
The compound noun bookworm is a combination of the nouns ‘book’ and ‘worm’. It was first used in the 16th century.
Is bookworm an adjective?
Like a bookworm; studious.
What part of speech is bookworm?
BOOKWORM (noun) definition and synonyms | Macmillan Dictionary.
Is a book considered a noun?
The word »book» on its own is a common noun. It refers to a written or printed publication that is bound by a cover.
Is bookworm a real word?
A bookworm is someone who loves to read. If you’re a true bookworm, you’d rather spend Friday nights on the couch with a book than out at a party. Some people are bookworms from the moment they first learn to read, while others grow into their love of books and reading after encountering a particularly wonderful book.
44 related questions found
What kind of word is bookworm?
bookworm. / (ˈbʊkˌwɜːm) / noun. a person excessively devoted to studying or reading. any of various small insects that feed on the binding paste of books, esp the book louse.
Who is a bookworm person?
: a person who likes to read books and who spends a lot of time reading and studying. See the full definition for bookworm in the English Language Learners Dictionary. bookworm. noun. book·worm | ˈbu̇k-ˌwərm
Is boy a common noun?
The noun ‘boy’ is not a proper noun. It is a common noun because it does not give the name of a specific boy.
How is a book used as a noun?
Examples of book in a Sentence
Noun The shelves in his office are filled with books. That’s one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. a novelist who has written some wonderful books The library has many dictionaries and other reference books.
Is book a verb or a noun?
book (verb) book (adjective) booking (noun) … book value (noun)
Are you a bookworm?
A bookworm is someone who loves reading books. These people are also called bibliophiles. Bibliophiles sometimes love books so much that they choose to collect them, too. … So if you see a trip to the library as an adventure and are always on the lookout for a new book to read, you’re probably a bookworm.
What is the difference between scholar and bookworm?
But a «bookworm,» as he puts it, is someone who places too much stock in the writings of the past, someone constrained to stay within the ideas and the literary conventions found within canonical books. … A true scholar would be creative, not simply reproducing work based on old ideas.
How do you say bookworm in other languages?
Translations for bookworm
- knihomolCzech.
- bogormDanish.
- Leseratte, BücherwurmGerman.
- βιβλιοσκώληξ, βιβλιοφάγος, φιλαναγνώστηςGreek.
- librovermoEsperanto.
- ratón de bibliotecaSpanish.
- kirjatoukka, lukutoukkaFinnish.
- rat de bibliothèqueFrench.
What does the idiom nose in a book mean?
: to be reading (a book, magazine, newspaper, etc.) It seems like she always has her nose in a book whenever I see her.
What are some adjectives to describe a person?
- Adaptable.
- Adventurous.
- Amarous.
- diligent.
- Humble.
- Courageous.
- Efficient.
- Enchanting.
Where does the phrase bookworm come from?
The origin of the idiom “bookworm” probably originated as a somewhat derogatory term for a person who studied or read more than was usual. Bugs such as silverfish, book lice, and linoleum beetles were referred to as bookworms because they inhabited books; thus the idiom.
What type of noun is love?
love as a noun — Send them my love. (In this sentence, the word love functions as a noun. It is an abstract noun because love itself cannot be directly observed via five senses.)
What type of noun is Lion?
The word ‘lion’ is not a proper noun. It is a common noun. It names a type of animal but not a specific animal.
What type of noun is singing?
singing used as a noun:
The act of using the voice to produce musical sounds; vocalizing. Disclosing information, or giving evidence about another. A gathering for the purpose of singing shape note songs.
What is a noun for boy?
boy. 2[countable] a young son They have two boys and a girl.
What are 10 common nouns?
Examples of a Common Noun
- People: mother, father, baby, child, toddler, teenager, grandmother, student, teacher, minister, businessperson, salesclerk, woman, man.
- Animals: lion, tiger, bear, dog, cat, alligator, cricket, bird, wolf.
- Things: table, truck, book, pencil, iPad, computer, coat, boots,
Who is a book lover?
Bibliophile. This word describes someone who loves or collects books. It comes from the Greek words for «book» and «loving.»
Is being a bookworm good?
Being a bookworm can improve your love life. According to a report from eHarmony UK, people who list reading on their online dating profiles have increased levels of communication: Men receive 19% more messages and women get 3% more.
What do you call people who like to read a lot?
Bibliophilia or bibliophilism is the love of books, and a bibliophile or bookworm is an individual who loves and frequently reads books.
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1
bookworm
кни́жный червь, люби́тель книг, библиофи́л
Англо-русский словарь Мюллера > bookworm
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2
bookworm
Персональный Сократ > bookworm
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3
bookworm
Англо-русский синонимический словарь > bookworm
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4
bookworm
Большой англо-русский и русско-английский словарь > bookworm
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5
bookworm
[ˈbukwə:m]
bookworm книжный червь, любитель книг, библиофил
English-Russian short dictionary > bookworm
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6
bookworm
[ʹbʋkwɜ:m]
1. книжный червь; книжная моль
2. буквоед
3. библиоман; ≅ книжный червь
НБАРС > bookworm
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7
bookworm
1. книжный червь; книжная моль;
2. буквоед;
3. библиоман.
* * *
сущ.
1) книжный червь; книжная моль;
2) буквоед;
3) библиоман.
Англо-русский словарь по социологии > bookworm
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8
bookworm
Универсальный англо-русский словарь > bookworm
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9
bookworm
[`bʊkwɜːm]
книжный червь, любитель книг, библиофил
Англо-русский большой универсальный переводческий словарь > bookworm
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10
bookworm
noun
книжный червь, любитель книг, библиофил
* * *
(n) книжный червь
* * *
книжный червь, любитель книг, библиофил
* * *
книжный червь, библиофил, любитель книг
* * *
* * *
книжный червь, любитель книг
Новый англо-русский словарь > bookworm
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11
bookworm
1) книжный червь
2) библиоман, «книжный червь»
Англо-русский словарь по полиграфии и издательскому делу > bookworm
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12
bookworm
English-Russian dictionary of technical terms > bookworm
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13
bookworm
2. страстный любитель чтения, заядлый книгочей
English-Russian library and information terminology dictionary > bookworm
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14
bookworm
[‘bukwɜːm]
сущ.
книжный червь, любитель книг, библиофил
Англо-русский современный словарь > bookworm
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15
bookworm
English-Russian smart dictionary > bookworm
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16
bookworm
1. n книжный червь; книжная моль
2. n буквоед
3. n библиоман
Синонимический ряд:
intellectual (noun) bluestocking; doctrinaire; formalist; intellectual; methodologist; pedagogue; pedant; scholar
English-Russian base dictionary > bookworm
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17
bookworm
1. книжный червь
2. библиоман, «книжный червь»
English-Russian big polytechnic dictionary > bookworm
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18
helluo librorum (Latin for bookworm)
Универсальный англо-русский словарь > helluo librorum (Latin for bookworm)
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19
книжная моль
Большой англо-русский и русско-английский словарь > книжная моль
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20
книжный червь
Большой англо-русский и русско-английский словарь > книжный червь
См. также в других словарях:
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Bookworm — may refer to: * Bibliophile or bookworm, an avid reader and lover of books * Bookworm (insect), a popular generalization for any insect which supposedly bores through books * Bookworm (Tiny Toon Adventures) is a supporting character on the hit… … Wikipedia
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Bookworm — Book worm , n. 1. (Zo[ o]l.) Any larva of a beetle or moth, which is injurious to books. Many species are known. [1913 Webster] 2. A student closely attached to books or addicted to study; a reader without appreciation. [1913 Webster] I wanted… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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Bookworm — ist ein vom Designer Ron Arad gestaltetes Bücherregal ein Online Reader für das EPUB Format, siehe Bookworm (Software) Diese Seite ist eine Begriffsklärung zur Unterscheidung mehrerer mit demselben Wort bezeichneter Begrif … Deutsch Wikipedia
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bookworm — 1590s (of people), 1855 of insects or maggots; there is no single species known by this name, which is applied to the anolium beetle, silverfishes, and book lice. See BOOK (Cf. book) (n.) + WORM (Cf. worm) (n.) … Etymology dictionary
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bookworm — ► NOUN informal ▪ a person who enjoys and spends much time reading … English terms dictionary
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bookworm — [book′wʉrm΄] n. 1. any of a number of insects or insect larvae that harm books by feeding on the binding, paste, etc. 2. a person who spends much time reading or studying … English World dictionary
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bookworm — UK [ˈbʊkˌwɜː(r)m] / US [ˈbʊkˌwɜrm] noun [countable] Word forms bookworm : singular bookworm plural bookworms informal someone who enjoys reading books and spends a lot of time doing it … English dictionary
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bookworm — /book werrm /, n. 1. a person devoted to reading or studying. 2. any of various insects that feed on books, esp. a booklouse. [1590 1600; BOOK + WORM] * * * ▪ insect any insect (e.g., moths, beetles) whose larval (or adult) forms injure… … Universalium
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bookworm — [[t]b ʊkwɜː(r)m[/t]] bookworms N COUNT If you describe someone as a bookworm, you mean they are very fond of reading. [INFORMAL] … English dictionary
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Bookworm, Run! — is a science fiction short story written by Vernor Vinge; it is Vinge s second published work of fiction. It appeared in Analog Science Fiction Science Fact in 1966, and was reprinted in True Names… and Other Dangers in 1987, and in The… … Wikipedia
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Bookworm (insect) — Bookworm is a popular generalization for any insect which supposedly bores through books.Actual book borers are uncommon. Both the larvae of the death watch beetle ( Xestobium rufovillosum ) and the common furniture beetle ( Anobium punctatum )… … Wikipedia
: a person unusually devoted to reading and study
Synonyms
Example Sentences
She was always a bookworm when she was a kid.
a bookworm who prefers reading to just about any other activity
Recent Examples on the Web
The bats are instrumental in controlling the bookworms, moths, and other insects that could damage the old, fragile tomes.
—
Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 28 Mar. 2023
As the mastermind behind this scheme, Maurice is very nearly as pleased with himself as the film’s precocious narrator Malicia (Emilia Clarke), a sparky bookworm well-versed in the traditions and tropes of classic storytelling, and liable to point them out every time her own tale subverts them.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 30 Jan. 2023
Perfect for a night to yourself, this subscription box really is an introvert bookworm‘s dream.
—Meg Donohue, Town & Country, 1 Dec. 2022
Answer: With a bookworm.
—Elizabeth Berry, Woman’s Day, 1 Sep. 2022
There are many advantages to raising a bookworm.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2022
Ian Chan, 28, is lovingly teased as a bookworm.
—New York Times, 12 Aug. 2021
Grab your latte, and get ready to shop the cutest dark academia outfits that give off that collegiate bookworm vibe.
—Hannah Oh, Seventeen, 17 Mar. 2023
The bookworm in your life will love a gift card from Bookshop, a platform on which readers buy books online, but the proceeds go to local bookstores.
—Meg Donohue, Town & Country, 28 Nov. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘bookworm.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1580, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of bookworm was
in 1580
Dictionary Entries Near bookworm
Cite this Entry
“Bookworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bookworm. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on bookworm
Last Updated:
31 Mar 2023
— Updated example sentences
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Defenition of the word bookworm
- someone who spends a great deal of time reading
- a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit
Synonyms for the word bookworm
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- booklover
- pedant
- person who reads
- scholastic
Similar words in the bookworm
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- bookworm
- bookworm’s
- bookworms
Hyponyms for the word bookworm
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- purist
Hypernyms for the word bookworm
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- bookman
- intellect
- intellectual
- reader
- scholar
- scholarly person
- student
See other words
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- What is bookmark
- The definition of bookmakers
- The interpretation of the word bookmaking
- What is meant by bookkeeping
- The lexical meaning booklets
- The dictionary meaning of the word bookish
- The grammatical meaning of the word bookkeepers
- Meaning of the word bookings
- Literal and figurative meaning of the word bookies
- The origin of the word bookmarks
- Synonym for the word bookworms
- Antonyms for the word bookstore
- Homonyms for the word brooked
- Hyponyms for the word sheer
- Holonyms for the word brooking
- Hypernyms for the word brooklyn
- Proverbs and sayings for the word bad buy
- Translation of the word in other languages bad deal
- Top Definitions
- Quiz
- Related Content
- More About Bookworm
- Examples
- British
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
[ book-wurm ]
/ ˈbʊkˌwɜrm /
This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.
noun
a person devoted to reading or studying.
any of various insects that feed on books, especially a booklouse.
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Which sentence is correct?
Origin of bookworm
First recorded in 1590–1600; book + worm
Words nearby bookworm
book tile, book token, book up, book value, bookwork, bookworm, bool, Boole, Boolean, Boolean algebra, Boolean operation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
MORE ABOUT BOOKWORM
What does bookworm mean?
A bookworm is someone who’s always reading, usually because they just love to read or because they’re studying or both.
Bookworm is sometimes used negatively to make fun of people who love to read. But it is more commonly used in a positive way, especially by book lovers proudly calling themselves bookworms. Bookworm can also be used literally as a general name for any insect that eats books.
Example: Bookworms usually have huge vocabularies, so be careful when you play one in Scrabble.
Where does bookworm come from?
The first records of the word bookworm come from the late 1500s. The word was first used to refer to people who read a lot, often as an insult. For example, in a work by English playwright and poet Ben Jonson, a book-worme (as he spelled it) is described as a candle-waster, presumably implying that the person reads so much that they end up reading by candlelight and “wasting” candles just to read.
Only later was bookworm used in reference to insects that eat books. For the record, not all worms are insects, but some are, including the booklouse, which is a wingless insect that often lives among books and papers and is known to feed on the binding paste used to hold some books together.
Interestingly, the eating metaphor is also used in other terms for people who read a lot. One such term is bibliophage, which literally means “someone who devours books” (it can also be used as a name for an insect that eats books, though that’s rare). Similarly, bookworms are sometimes called voracious readers (voracious can be mean either “eating a lot” or “very enthusiastic”). They are also called avid readers or bibliophiles (literally, “people who love books”). Bookworms usually love books, though sometimes people are simply called bookworms because they read a lot to study, as in She’s a bookworm—she always has her nose in a textbook. Such descriptions can be negative, but bookworm is most often used positively, especially as a self-applied label that bookworms use to identify themselves to other bookworms. Yes, bookworms are sometimes classified as introverts, but they can be social, too. (Though they might be guilty of bringing a book to a party, just as, you know, a backup.)
Did you know … ?
How is bookworm used in real life?
Bookworm is most often used positively, especially by bookworms themselves.
Don’t let anyone judge you for the number of books you read. Books are expensive and life is busy. You’re still a good™ bookworm ✨
— abbie 🤍 (@britishbookread) March 5, 2020
The thought of self quarantine for non book lovers:
Omg what will I do for two weeks?! I’ll be so bored!Bookworms: *cracks knuckles, picks unread book from pile of hundreds*
It’s time.— Jenn ✨ ⋆ (@JennieLy) March 9, 2020
If bookworms find it so difficult to pick their favorite book it’s because we find little pieces of ourselves scattered throughout so many of the stories we read. Combine the stories and you figure out the person. One person isn’t just one story. It’s all of them.
— feysand supremacy (@Balruhni) March 7, 2020
Try using bookworm!
Is bookworm used correctly in the following sentence?
Bookworms can rarely make it out of a used bookstore without buying at least one book—and heaven help them in a library, where the books are free.
Words related to bookworm
How to use bookworm in a sentence
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While she should read well and wisely, the girl should not turn into a bookworm.
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She was a good deal of a bookworm, and did a great deal of beautiful embroidery, and never said much.
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A dull bookworm like me,—cochlea vitam agens, Mr. Squills,—leading the life of a snail!
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To tell the truth, a bookworm such as he is is one of the most irritating persons in existence.
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It is no chimera of the recluse or the bookworm, but a potent reality.
British Dictionary definitions for bookworm
noun
a person excessively devoted to studying or reading
any of various small insects that feed on the binding paste of books, esp the book louse
Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012