noun
bookworm
BUUK-wurm
noun
1
A person who loves reading and reads often.
"As a child she was a total bookworm, always curled up with a novel."
2
Any of several small insects that damage books by feeding on paper or bindings.
"The old library had a bookworm problem in its rare manuscripts."
How to Use Bookworm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who reads constantly and loves books — the original insect sense is much less common today.
When to use it
Usually affectionate rather than critical when applied to a person.
Word Forms
bookworms plural
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As a child she was a total _____, always curled up with a novel.
Etymology
A literal compound of "book" and "worm," first describing the insect pest before being applied affectionately to avid readers.