Bubbles and Wiggles
Eight new words, and the ways to make them yours.
Meet each word one at a time, then take the quiz to lock them in.
Wonderful Words · Today with the Mayor
Bubbles and Wiggles
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Nelson's word
bubble
noun
Bubble. A noun, and I file it under small-round-things. A bubble is a little ball of air trapped inside water, thin and shiny, wobbling as it drifts up to the top. You see them in a fizzy drink, in a bath, in a puddle after rain. Some are tiny and some are big, but every one of them is a bubble. State it precisely: not the water, not the air, but the little round ball where the two meet. That is a bubble, and I keep it in my file.
One bubble floated up from the bottom of the glass.
Ways to know it
MeaningWord Detective
Nelson's word
ribbon
noun
Ribbon. A noun, and one you can hold in your hand. A ribbon is a long, thin strip of cloth, smooth and often shiny, that you tie into a bow or wrap around a gift. You see one in a braid of hair, on the top of a present, or hanging from a prize. It is not string and it is not rope; a ribbon is flat and soft. I file it under things-that-tie-and-decorate, and it is a good one to keep.
A red ribbon tied the whole box shut.
Ways to know it
MeaningWord Detective
Vinny's word
wiggle
verb
Wiggle! Now THAT is a verb, and a busy one. To wiggle is to move from side to side in little jiggles, quick and wobbly: the puppy wiggles, the loose tooth wiggles, your toes wiggle inside your socks. It never holds still, not for a second. That is the verb, and it is mine. But keep your eyes open, because this little word can wear a second hat, a noun, and we will catch it wearing it in the Many Hats way.
The puppy wiggles with joy when we come home.
Ways to know it
MeaningMany Hats
Vinny's word
wobble
verb
Wobble! Another verb, and a shaky one. To wobble is to rock back and forth without falling over: the spinning top wobbles, the new baby deer wobbles on its legs, the stack of pancakes wobbles when you carry the plate. It leans one way, then the other, but it stays up. That is the thrill of a wobble. It is a doing word, and it is mine.
The tall tower of blocks wobbles but does not fall.
Ways to know it
MeaningWord Detective
Jake's word
squeaky
adjective
Squeaky. Oh, I love this one, and it is mine, because it describes. Squeaky means making a high, thin, little sound: a squeaky door, a squeaky mouse, a squeaky wheel that needs some oil. You can almost hear it just by saying the word. Could we be more specific than 'noisy'? We could. A big drum is noisy, but only a small high sound is squeaky. Say it and you can hear it: squeaky.
The squeaky door needs a drop of oil.
Ways to know it
MeaningSmile or Frown
Jake's word
sticky
adjective
Sticky. A describing word, and a magnifique one, because you can feel it. Sticky means able to stick to things, so that it holds on and will not let go easily: sticky honey, sticky tape, sticky fingers after a lollipop. Could we be more specific than 'messy'? We could. Wet is messy too, but only a thing that clings and holds is sticky. Touch the word and it almost sticks to your hand: sticky.
The sticky honey covered her fingers.
Ways to know it
MeaningSmile or Frown
Benny's word
warmly
adverb
Warmly. This is an adverb, and it is mine, the way Nelson owns his nouns. An adverb tells you how something is done, and warmly tells you it is done in a warm, friendly way: she smiled warmly, he greeted us warmly, they welcomed the new kid warmly. Make it sharper. Do not just say she smiled; tell me how. She smiled warmly, and now I can feel it. Take the word warm and add the tail -ly, and you have how she did it. You can do that with any word, and that is the coach in me talking.
She smiled warmly and waved us inside.
Ways to know it
MeaningSmile or Frown
Benny's word
firmly
adverb
Firmly. An adverb, and a strong one, and it is mine. Firmly tells you how something is done, in a strong, steady way that does not slip or shake: he held the rope firmly, she shook my hand firmly, plant your feet firmly on the ground. You can do better than 'she held it'; tell me how she held it. She held it firmly, and now I trust it will not fall. Here is the coach's trick worth keeping: take firm and add the tail -ly, and you turn what a thing is into how you do it. Firm becomes firmly.
He held the rope firmly and did not let go.
Ways to know it
MeaningWord Family