twerking

noun

twerk·​ing ˈtwər-kiŋ 

: sexually suggestive dancing characterized by rapid, repeated hip thrusts and shaking of the buttocks especially while squatting

… twerking has become a catch-all for an overtly sexualized style of dancing wherein one manipulates the hips and posterior in an often hypnotic and physics-defying bounce.

—Luke O'Neil

twerk

ˈtwərk 

intransitive verb

twerked; twerking; twerks

As my family watched in horror, I began to twerk, crouching down and bouncing my booty …

—Libby Gelman-Waxner

Examples of twerking in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But there’s not enough cash to save it No twerking. —Hartford Courant, 13 June 2024

The Black Shows That Revolutionized TV, from 'Julia' and 'The Jeffersons' to 'Empire' Not All Hood will also unpack what Warner calls the problematic nature of twerking, which is derived from more traditional types of African dance. —Jp Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024

Similarly, choreography videos that showed twerking, grinding, or in which the dancer wore minimal clothing were demonetized under YouTube’s policy. —Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 17 Nov. 2023

Sure, Miley's twerking made our list, but don't forget about these moments from Oasis, Madonna, Beyoncé and more music stars! —Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

twerk, phonesthemic coinage, perhaps with elements of twist entry 1 and jerk entry 1

First Known Use

2001, in the meaning defined above