hormiguear

Senses

1. 1.

   to tingle, to prickle

   to have a sensation of small pricks or needles on the skin

2. 2.

   to swarm, to teem

   to be full of people or things moving about in large numbers

3. 3.

   to crawl, to creep

   to move slowly and uneasily, especially with a crawling sensation

Examples

• "Me hormiguea la mano después de dormir sobre ella."

  My hand tingles after sleeping on it.

• "La plaza hormigueaba de turistas durante el festival."

  The square was teeming with tourists during the festival.

• "Siento que me hormiguea la piel cuando tengo ansiedad."

  I feel a crawling sensation on my skin when I'm anxious.

Usage

Hormiguear is commonly used to describe the physical sensation of tingling or pins and needles (hormigas, literally "ants"). It can also mean to be crowded or swarming with activity. The first sense is very common in everyday speech when describing numbing or prickling sensations.