Earthworm: meaning, definitions and examples

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earthworm

[ˈərθˌwərm ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in the garden

A type of worm that lives in the soil and helps to break down organic matter. Earthworms are important for maintaining healthy soil.

Synonyms

angleworm, fishing worm.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
earthworm	Generally used when talking about the natural world or in scientific discussions referring to the worm living in the soil. Scientists are studying the behavior of earthworms in different soil conditions Earthworms help in aerating the soil
angleworm	Commonly used in North American English, this term refers to earthworms when discussing fishing or bait. He dug up some angleworms to use as bait for fishing The kids were amazed by the size of the angleworm they found
fishing worm	Specifically used when talking about worms as bait for fishing. The term is straightforward and easy to understand for those not familiar with technical terms. She prepared her fishing rod and packed some fishing worms for the trip The tackle shop sells a variety of fishing worms

Word

Description / Examples

earthworm

Generally used when talking about the natural world or in scientific discussions referring to the worm living in the soil.

Scientists are studying the behavior of earthworms in different soil conditions
Earthworms help in aerating the soil

angleworm

Commonly used in North American English, this term refers to earthworms when discussing fishing or bait.

He dug up some angleworms to use as bait for fishing
The kids were amazed by the size of the angleworm they found

fishing worm

Specifically used when talking about worms as bait for fishing. The term is straightforward and easy to understand for those not familiar with technical terms.

She prepared her fishing rod and packed some fishing worms for the trip
The tackle shop sells a variety of fishing worms

Examples of usage

Earthworms help to aerate the soil by burrowing through it.
Gardens benefit from the presence of earthworms as they improve soil structure.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

biology

A tubular invertebrate animal belonging to the class Oligochaeta, commonly found in soil.

Synonyms

annelid, lumbricus terrestris.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
earthworm	Used in everyday language when referring to worms that live in the soil and help in composting and aerating the ground. Most people know this term and use it commonly. I found an earthworm in the garden. Earthworms are good for the soil.
annelid	This is a scientific term used when discussing biology or zoology. It's more general and refers to a group of segmented worms that include earthworms. Annelids are divided into three classes. The teacher explained the anatomy of annelids.
lumbricus terrestris	Used specifically in scientific contexts, referring to the species name of the common earthworm. This term would appear in academic papers, research, or detailed biology discussions. Lumbricus terrestris plays a crucial role in soil health. Researchers are studying the behavior of Lumbricus terrestris.

Word

Description / Examples

earthworm

Used in everyday language when referring to worms that live in the soil and help in composting and aerating the ground. Most people know this term and use it commonly.

I found an earthworm in the garden.
Earthworms are good for the soil.

annelid

This is a scientific term used when discussing biology or zoology. It's more general and refers to a group of segmented worms that include earthworms.

Annelids are divided into three classes.
The teacher explained the anatomy of annelids.

lumbricus terrestris

Used specifically in scientific contexts, referring to the species name of the common earthworm. This term would appear in academic papers, research, or detailed biology discussions.

Lumbricus terrestris plays a crucial role in soil health.
Researchers are studying the behavior of Lumbricus terrestris.

Examples of usage

Earthworms have a segmented body and no legs.
Charles Darwin studied earthworms extensively in his research.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'worm' comes from the Old English 'wyrm,' which originally referred to any kind of crawling creature.
The term 'earthworm' combines 'earth,' describing where they live, and 'worm,' reflecting their shape and movement.

Ecology

Earthworms improve soil quality by burrowing, which helps air, water, and plant roots penetrate the ground.
They consume dead plants and organic matter, breaking it down into nutrient-rich castings that enrich the soil.

Pop Culture

Earthworms have appeared in children's literature, often representing teamwork, fun, and nature's magic, such as in 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'.
In video games like 'Earthworm Jim,' they take on heroic roles, blending the real with the whimsical.

Science

Earthworms have no eyes but can sense light and vibrations through their skin.
They are critical for soil health, with a single acre potentially hosting millions of them, improving crop production.

Cultural Significance

Many cultures regard earthworms as symbols of regeneration and resilience, reflecting their role in life cycles.
Some traditional farming practices emphasize the importance of earthworms for sustainable agriculture, using organic methods to support their populations.

Translations

Translations of the word "earthworm" in other languages:

🇵🇹 minhoca

🇮🇳 केंचुआ

🇩🇪 Regenwurm

🇮🇩 cacing tanah

🇺🇦 дощовий черв'як

🇵🇱 dżdżownica

🇯🇵 ミミズ

🇫🇷 ver de terre

🇪🇸 lombriz de tierra

🇹🇷 toprak solucanı

🇰🇷 지렁이

🇸🇦 دودة الأرض

🇨🇿 žížala

🇸🇰 dážďovka

🇨🇳 蚯蚓

🇸🇮 deževnik

🇮🇸 ánamaðkur

🇰🇿 жауынқұрты

🇬🇪 წვიმის ჭია

🇦🇿 torpaq qurd

🇲🇽 lombriz de tierra