What does joggle mean?
Joggle means to move with a slight jerk or series of small jerks, and it can also name such a movement itself. As a verb, it is transitive when something is being moved, as in “joggle the handle,” and intransitive when the subject undergoes the movement. As a noun, a joggle is a small, abrupt wobble, such as the one caused by a loose window or an unstable object. The word is somewhat literary and less frequent in everyday speech than jiggle, but it is useful when the intended emphasis is on a brief, slightly irregular movement rather than a quick or fluid shake. Its ending, -le, is characteristic of English formations that suggest repetition or a modified form of an action. Related forms include the past tense joggled and the gerund or present participle joggling.
To move with a slight jerk or a series of small jerks; to shake slightly.
"The impact joggled the cup across the table."
The verb can be transitive or intransitive and is somewhat literary in tone.
A small, abrupt, jerky movement or shake.
"The train came to a stop with one final joggle."
The noun is most natural with modifiers such as slight or small.
Used when referring to several small jerky movements or to multiple instances of the phenomenon.
"The loose tiles gave a series of joggles as the lorry passed."
The ending in -le turns a single jog into a little movement or a series of small shakes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does joggle come from?
Joggle developed from jog with the suffix -le, a productive element in English that was often added to verbs to indicate repeated, diminished, or otherwise modified action. The formation thus reinforces the idea of making a small series of movements. Its close relatives include jog, jogger, and jogging, all formed from the same basic verb stem.
Related word forms
How joggle is actually used
Joggle is somewhat literary and noticeably less common than jiggle. It suggests small, abrupt movements rather than a broad or forceful shake.
Easily confused with joggle
A joggle is a small, abrupt or jerky movement, whereas a jiggle is often a quicker, more fluid shaking motion.