Brainworm: meaning, definitions and examples

A rare or archaic term referring to a nagging idea or obsession that persistently occupies one's mind.

• That theory turned into a brainworm, and I couldn't stop thinking about it all week.
• The concept of infinity has always been a brainworm for philosophers.

Commonly used to describe a catchy piece of music or song that continually repeats in one's mind.

• The new pop song is such an earworm; I can’t get it out of my head!
• That jingle is a real earworm – I've been humming it all day.

Used to describe someone who insists on a certain quality or type of behavior, often to a fault; has a slightly negative connotation.

• She's a stickler for punctuality, so make sure you’re on time.
• He's a stickler for proper grammar, which can be annoying in casual conversations.

Can describe a person or thing that repeats the same action or phrase; sometimes used to describe a device that amplifies signals.

• He is a repeater; he tells us the same story every time we meet.
• In telecommunications, a repeater is used to boost the signal strength over long distances.