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Definition of bookworm

bookworm

/ˈbʊk.wɜːrm/
book · worm
Plural:bookworms
•
Adjective:bookwormish
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bookworm Lexical Profile

bookworm Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who is devoted to reading and studying books.

Example

"As a childhood bookworm, she spent nearly every afternoon exploring the shelves of the local library."

2

Any of various insect larvae, such as those of woodboring beetles or booklice, that bore through the pages and bindings of books and feed on the paper or glue.

Example

"Archivists carefully inspect antique manuscripts to ensure that no bookworms have damaged the delicate vellum."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for bookworm

• Rhymes for bookworm

• Nearby Words

bookstand
bookstore
bookwork
bookworm
boolean
boom
boombox

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 16th century from the compound of "book" and "worm," initially used figuratively to describe an avid reader before referring literally to book-boring insect larvae.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bookworm. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bookworm
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