What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shimmying
Example
She was shimmying to the beat of the music. [shimmying: verb]
Example
I had to shimmy my way through the narrow gap between the two cars. [shimmy: verb]
jiggle
Example
The car keys were jiggling in his pocket as he walked. [jiggling: verb]
Example
She tried to jiggle the door handle to see if it was locked. [jiggle: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Jiggle is more commonly used than shimmying in everyday language. Jiggle is a versatile word that can be used to describe a wide range of movements and situations, while shimmying is more specific to certain contexts, such as dancing or getting comfortable in a tight space.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between shimmying and jiggle?
Both shimmying and jiggling are informal words that are more likely to be used in casual conversation or writing than in formal settings.