fidgeting
Nervous small movements
Fidgeting is making small, restless movements—shifting in a seat, tapping fingers, bouncing a leg.
The movements are usually unconscious, expressing nervousness, boredom, or excess energy: Stop fidgeting and pay attention.
Fidgeting may also be deliberate, a way to stay alert or burn off restlessness during long meetings or lectures.
Twisting restlessly from discomfort
- wrigglingTwisting with short movements
- jigglingShaking with light, rapid motion
- shufflingRandomizing order of items
- tappingRepeated light striking
twitching · jerking · quivering · shaking · twisting · rocking · bobbing · shifting
Remaining in expectation
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- eagernessIntense willingness to act
- tappingRepeated light striking
- pacingRate of movement
clock-watching · drumming · sighing · foot-tapping · restiveness · urgency · antsy · toe-tapping
Twisting restlessly from discomfort
- awkwardnessLack of grace or ease
- self-consciousnessUncomfortable awareness of oneself
- uneasinessMild persistent worry
- shiftingChanging position or form
wriggling · restlessness · itchiness · constriction · antsy · unsettled
State of anxious unease
- jittersNervous agitation
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- trepidationFearful uncertainty
worry · stress · tension · agitation · edginess · nail-biting · hand-wringing · sweating
Idle mental wandering
- doodlingCasual aimless sketching
- yawningOpening mouth when tired
- sighingAudible breath of emotion
- staringGazing without break
drumming · twiddling · mind-wandering · distraction · clock-watching
Neurodevelopmental focus impairment
- stimmingRepetitive self-regulatory behavior
- overactiveExcessively active or busy
- restlessUnable to be still
- energeticHaving much vigor
impulsivity · inattention · hyperkinetic · self-regulation · stimulation · bouncy · unfocused · distractibility
Extremely tense or anxious
- compulsionIrresistible urge to act
- self-soothingCalming oneself independently
- automaticitySelf-generating action capacity
- repetitionAct of redoing
Brief involuntary facial signals
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
- shiftingChanging position or form
- tellsConveys information verbally
- concealmentAct of hiding something
squirming
Twisting restlessly from discomfort
- wrigglingTwisting with short movements
- jigglingShaking with light, rapid motion
- shufflingRandomizing order of items
tapping · twitching · jerking · quivering · shaking · twisting · rocking · bobbing · shifting · bouncing
waiting
Remaining in expectation
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- eagernessIntense willingness to act
- tappingRepeated light striking
pacing · clock-watching · drumming · sighing · foot-tapping · restiveness · urgency · antsy · toe-tapping
squirming
Twisting restlessly from discomfort
- awkwardnessLack of grace or ease
- self-consciousnessUncomfortable awareness of oneself
- uneasinessMild persistent worry
shifting · wriggling · restlessness · itchiness · constriction · antsy · unsettled
nervousness
State of anxious unease
- jittersNervous agitation
- uneaseMild persistent worry
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
trepidation · worry · stress · tension · agitation · edginess · nail-biting · hand-wringing · sweating · trembling
daydreaming
Idle mental wandering
staring · drumming · twiddling · mind-wandering · distraction · clock-watching
ADHD
Neurodevelopmental focus impairment
- stimmingRepetitive self-regulatory behavior
- overactiveExcessively active or busy
- restlessUnable to be still
energetic · impulsivity · inattention · hyperkinetic · self-regulation · stimulation · bouncy · unfocused · distractibility
nail-biting
Extremely tense or anxious
- compulsionIrresistible urge to act
- self-soothingCalming oneself independently
- automaticitySelf-generating action capacity
repetition · mannerism · tic
microexpressions
Brief involuntary facial signals
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
- shiftingChanging position or form
- tellsConveys information verbally
- childhood behaviorsgiggling, skipping, tantrums, whining, pouting
- Deception Cluestelltale signs, red flags, warning signs, shifty eyes, stammering
- fidgetingtapping, fiddle, finger tapping, twiddle, toe tapping
- habitshabit, habits, bad habit, study habits, rituals
- presentation mistakesstage fright, nervousness, forgetting lines, rushing, mumbling
- quirkseccentricities, idiosyncrasies, peculiarities, oddities, foibles
fidgetingstillness
Complete lack of motion
sitting still · motionlessness · immobility · holding still · repose
fidgetingcalmness
Peaceful mental state
composure · serenity · tranquility · relaxation · equanimity
fidgetingconcentrating
Directing mental effort narrowly
focusing · rapt attention · attentiveness · engrossment · meditation