Waggle: meaning, definitions and examples

Waggle is often used to describe small, quick movements, and is commonly associated with animals, particularly insects or birds making slight, repetitive movements.

• The bird waggled its tail feathers

Wiggle describes small, quick movements, often in a playful or lighthearted manner. It's frequently used when talking about squirming or fidgety movements by children or animals.

• The child couldn't sit still and kept wiggling in his seat

Wag is typically used to describe the side-to-side movement of an animal's tail, especially dogs when they are happy or excited. It can also be used humorously for people but is less common.

• The dog wagged its tail excitedly when it saw its owner

Shake is used to describe a more forceful or noticeable back-and-forth or up-and-down movement. It’s often used in general contexts or when referring to objects being moved vigorously.

• She shook the bottle before opening it

Repeated for inclusivity: Waggle can describe a playful, quick, side-to-side movement both for humans and animals.

• The bird did a little waggle as it perched on the branch

Hip shake usually refers to a deliberate and rhythmic movement of the hips, often associated with dance or music. It is used when talking about dance moves, particularly in styles like salsa or belly dancing.

• She amazed everyone with her graceful hip shake during the dance performance

Hip wiggle involves a slight and often flirtatious movement of the hips. It has a playful or somewhat provocative connotation and is less formal than 'hip shake'.

• He gave a cheeky hip wiggle while joking with his friends