bookworm

noun

ˈbu̇k-ˌwərm How to pronounce bookworm (audio)
Definition of bookwormnext
as in nerd
a person slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits a bookworm who prefers reading to just about any other activity

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bookworm Tobie Donovan plays the bookworm Isaac Henderson in Heartstopper, who opens up to his friends in season 3 about being asexual and aromantic. — Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026 The variety of fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, and best-sellers available could sustain even the most diehard bookworms for a lifetime. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 June 2026 The hottest new social activity is not talking Silent reading clubs are giving like-minded bookworms a brain boost. — Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 8 June 2026 From Joan Didion to Ray Bradbury, many famous writers are linked with the City of Angels—and that means plenty of literary spots for bookworms. — Krista Simmons, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for bookworm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bookworm
  1. nerd
  2. geek
Noun
  • The problem is when the self-importance of festival political activism crosses wires with these horror nerds.
    — Joseph Kahn, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Ilya is looking for work as an assistant, and the professor, with his dandyish nerd arrogance, tells him to look at a paper he’s written and come back in a few days.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of nerd
Noun
  • Sure, something interesting might eventually happen, but no one outside of a few Canadian space geeks was paying much attention.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Catnip for film-geek conversation, but rarely does a movie arrive that approximates an answer.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of geek

Browse Nearby Words

booksellers
bookworm
bookworms
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Cite this Entry

“Bookworm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bookworm. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on bookworm

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bookworm

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