Earwurm
An earwurm (with a 'u') is a short fragment of a tune that can stick a song inside your head. Not to be confused with earworm (with an 'o'), which is the tune stuck inside your head.
Urban Dictionary Merch
Your favorite words on things you can wear, drink from, read, or give to a friend.
The Urban Dictionary Store sells gifts you’ll have to explain.
Earworm
A song that sticks in your mind, and will not leave no matter how much you try.
The best way to get rid of an earworm is to replace it with another. Be prepared to become a jukebox.
The best way to get rid of an earworm is to replace it with another. Be prepared to become a jukebox.
worst examples: "Mmmbop" by Hanson, "Toxic" by Britney Spears, "Quit Playin Games With My Heart" by Backstreet Boys, or any damn Hilary Duff song.
best examples: "This Love" Maroon 5, "Hey Ya" Outkast, "Memory" Sugarcult, and any Lauryn Hill song.
best examples: "This Love" Maroon 5, "Hey Ya" Outkast, "Memory" Sugarcult, and any Lauryn Hill song.
Earworm by love_music October 13, 2004
Word of the Day on July 11, 2007
Related Words
earwormed
earwormed by Matty Scafone December 13, 2004
earworm
A song with an 'addictive' element (hook, melody, lyric) that draws people into listening multiple times. Song doesn't have to be good or bad, it just needs to have that 'addictive' element.
earworm by Corey Bingham December 5, 2003
earworm
A song or tune that continues playing inside one's head, often to the intense annoyance of the particular head concerned. The song/tune will typically be of the hooky variety, making it easy to absorb and remember on just one or two hearings. Unfortunately for sufferers, it is often the most trite and irritating parasites (i.e. melodies) which attach to the host ear...
Etymology:
This was first coined, I believe, in Germany. The german translation is "Ohrwurm".
Etymology:
This was first coined, I believe, in Germany. The german translation is "Ohrwurm".
"Oh shit! I've got this earworm in my head and it's playing Kylie songs!"
Or, in German:
"Scheisse! Ich bin ein Ohrwurm!"
Or, in German:
"Scheisse! Ich bin ein Ohrwurm!"
earworm by nocturn_al December 31, 2008
More from Urban Dictionary
Boffin
British slang for a scientist or technical expert, esp . when the speaker is not certain of the expert’s specific field of study. Not necessarily derogatory, but typically used by persons without a technical background. In the US, the equivalent would be “egghead”, “squint”, or “geek.”
Origin of the word is unknown. Started sometime in World War 2. Given the typical evolution of British slang, could easily have started because what these experts did was confusing or “baffling” to the common person.
Origin of the word is unknown. Started sometime in World War 2. Given the typical evolution of British slang, could easily have started because what these experts did was confusing or “baffling” to the common person.
Pee Calculus
When you have to pee in a movie but don’t want to miss anything, and must do the following mental equation: will the amount I have to pee cause enough discomfort to diminish my attention capacity for the remainder of the movie to an extent which is greater than the amount of the movie I would miss by making a mad dash to the restroom.
Pee Calculus by anorlondo October 1, 2026
Word of the Day on October 2, 2026
Ajumma
Ajumma by aintnotinbutnice July 5, 2009
Word of the Day on September 30, 2026
Slop Grenade
When someone uses AI to generate a large document, slide deck, or piece of code/software and tosses it over the fence for you to deal with.
Chad: Hey Brent I sent you the new backend API change to review, it’s only 100 files changed.
Brent: he just tossed me a slop grenade
Brent: he just tossed me a slop grenade
Slop Grenade by Joe Squid September 28, 2026
Word of the Day on September 29, 2026