A squirmer is someone who can't seem to sit still, twisting and wiggling around constantly. Picture a kid at a long assembly who keeps shifting in their seat, crossing and uncrossing their legs, and adjusting their position every few seconds. That's a squirmer.

The word comes from squirm, which means to wriggle or twist your body with small, restless movements. When something makes you uncomfortable or embarrassed, you might squirm in your seat. If you're sitting through a boring lecture, you might find yourself squirming without even realizing it. A fish that's just been caught will squirm in someone's hands, trying to escape.

Teachers often notice squirmers in their classrooms: students who fidget, bounce their legs, or can't quite stay put during lessons. Some people are natural squirmers who simply have more energy than others. A squirmy toddler might twist and turn while getting their hair brushed or shoes tied, making simple tasks surprisingly difficult.

The word can also describe someone trying to avoid an uncomfortable situation or question. If you ask someone about something they don't want to discuss, they might squirm out of answering directly, dodging and evading like they're physically trying to escape.