Squirmy describes someone who can't seem to sit still, twisting and wiggling in their seat like they have ants in their pants. A squirmy student might shift around during a long assembly, adjust their position constantly, or fidget with everything within reach.

The word captures that restless, uncomfortable feeling when sitting still feels nearly impossible. Kids often get squirmy when they're bored, nervous, or have been sitting too long. You might feel squirmy during a difficult conversation when someone asks you about something you'd rather not discuss. A squirmy feeling might hit you when you're waiting for important news or watching a tense moment in a movie.

Squirm is the verb form: you might squirm in your seat, or squirm your way through a tight space. The word can also describe actual wriggling creatures, like squirmy earthworms that appear after rain or squirmy tadpoles darting around in a pond.

When someone describes you as squirmy, they're usually noticing your restless movement rather than criticizing you. Sometimes being squirmy just means you need to move around and stretch your legs.