WordGarden.ioearwig
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈiəwɪɡ/
US
Meanings
Noun
a small insect with pincers at the end of its body
Verb
to secretly listen to someone else's conversation
to try to influence someone by private or persistent talk
Beyond the definition
An earwig is a small, long-bodied insect with a pair of pincers on its back end. It may look a little scary, but it is not usually dangerous to people. It likes dark, damp places such as under rocks, in gardens, and sometimes, unfortunately, inside homes. The name comes from an old belief that this insect would crawl into people's ears while they slept, but that story is just a myth.
You might find earwigs nibbling on garden plants, so gardeners do not always welcome them. Still, they are mostly harmless, and their pincers usually do little more than give a small pinch if they feel threatened. They also help break down dead plant matter, so they are not all bad.
The earwig is a relatively small insect, typically reddish-brown or dark brown in color, characterized by its elongated body and distinctive pincers at the end of its abdomen. These pincers, called cerci, aren't venomous but are used for defense, mating, and even capturing prey.
Earwigs are nocturnal creatures, meaning they're most active at night, and they thrive in damp environments. You'll often find them hiding under rocks, logs, leaf litter, or in cracks and crevices around homes and gardens. They primarily feed on decaying organic matter, but they can also damage plants by feeding on tender leaves and flowers—making them a common nuisance for gardeners.
The name "earwig" is derived from an Old English belief that these insects would crawl into people's ears and burrow into their brains. While any small bug could get into an ear by accident, earwigs have no special tendency to do this; the old story is a myth.
Interestingly, earwigs are among the few non-social insects that show dedicated maternal care. A female earwig will stay with her eggs, guarding them from predators and cleaning them to prevent mold growth until they hatch. They are found worldwide, with about 25 species in North America alone. Though often considered pests, earwigs play a beneficial role in ecosystems by breaking down organic matter and contributing to soil health, making them a surprisingly complex part of the natural world.
Examples
- 1
Home insect
I found an earwig in the bathroom sink this morning.
- 2
Rainy weather
Earwigs often come inside after heavy rain.
- 3
Garden hiding place
She lifted the flowerpot carefully because earwigs were hiding underneath.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- earwignounverb
Forms
- earwigspluralnounverb
- earwiggedpast tenseverbnoun
- earwigging-ing formverbnoun