What does wormed mean?
The verb 'wormed' means to deceive or cheat someone by pretending to be friendly or helpful. This can be done in order to gain their trust or get something from them. The word is often used in informal contexts, such as in conversations or in writing. It can be used to describe a person who is trying to gain someone's trust or get something from them by being deceitful. The word has been in use since the 15th century, and its origin is from Old English 'wormian', which means 'to deceive'. The word is often used in combination with other words, such as 'wormed her way into' or 'wormed his way into'. The word has a negative connotation, implying that the person is being deceitful or manipulative. It is a useful word to know in order to describe situations where someone is trying to gain an advantage by being deceitful.
verbTo deceive or cheat someone by pretending to be friendly or helpful, often in order to gain their trust or get something from them.
- To deceive or cheat someone by pretending to be friendly or helpful.
"She wormed her way into the company's confidence by pretending to be a loyal employee."
"She wormed her way into the company's confidence by pretending to be a loyal employee."
"He wormed his way into the hearts of his new colleagues by being overly friendly."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of wormed
The word 'wormed' originated from Old English 'wormian', which means 'to deceive'. This word is derived from the Old English word 'worm', which means 'deceit' or 'trick'. The word has been in use since the 15th century, and its meaning has remained relatively consistent over time.
How wormed is actually used
This verb is often used in informal contexts, such as in conversations or in writing. It can be used to describe a person who is trying to gain someone's trust or get something from them by being deceitful.