Word Finder
What's the word for a song that keeps repeating in your head?
The word you're looking for
An earworm is a song or tune that keeps repeating in your head. It is the most natural word for this idea in everyday English.
Other words that fit
Use this for a repeated line in a song, not the feeling in your head.
Use this if the repeating tune is short, catchy, and often from advertising.
Use this for the most memorable part of a song, especially in pop music.
Use this only if you mean the song is mentally stuck in a stronger, more annoying way.
Why this word
The best word for a song that keeps repeating in your head is usually earworm. It is common in casual English and clearly means a catchy tune you cannot stop thinking about. People also say a song is "stuck in my head," but that is a phrase, not a single word. Do not confuse earworm with hook, which is the catchy part of the song itself. If the song is from an ad, jingle can also fit.
In context
- That pop song is such an earworm.
- I have an earworm in my head all day.
- This chorus is a real earworm.
Other concepts to find a word for
Frequently asked questions
- Is earworm a formal word?
- No, it is informal, but many native speakers use it.
- Can earworm mean a bad song?
- Yes. It often means a song is annoyingly hard to forget.
- What is the difference between earworm and hook?
- A hook is the catchy part of the song. An earworm is the song stuck in your head.