chirp

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verb

ˈchərp 

chirped; chirping; chirps

1

intransitive : to make a chirp or a sound resembling a chirp

chirping birds

… he had listened many times to the sound of grasshoppers chirping in the grass, and he had always liked the noise that they made.

—Roald Dahl

… Jesse Levine was luxuriating at home in Boca Raton last month when his cellphone chirped.

—L. Jon Wertheim

2

transitive : to utter (something) with a cheerful liveliness

She sang three songs … and chirped "Goodbye everybody! See you tomorrow!"

—Garrison Keillor

3

intransitive informal : to make sharply critical, complaining, or taunting remarks

Emotions boiled over for Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and cornerback Josh Norman after the two chirped at each other consistently for two weeks.

—Ben Volin

After the fight, which McLeod more or less won, the two chirped at each other in the penalty box …

—USA Today

… some of his teammates chirped about the officiating …

—Jack McCallum

chirp

2 of 2

noun

: the characteristic short sharp sound especially of a small bird or insect

Synonyms

Verb

• cheep
• chirrup
• chitter
• jargon
• peep
• pip
• pipe
• tweet
• twitter

Examples of chirp in a Sentence

Verb

The birds were chirping in the trees.

We heard the crickets chirping.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Packers’ cornerback picked it up and, on his way back inbounds, chirped at Kolar to hold onto the ball well after the play, too. —Matt Schneidman, The Athletic, 22 Aug. 2024

Throughout the Claridge’s lobby, a candy trolley overflowing with festive treats and mechanical birds chirping softly from the tree add elements of surprise and interaction. —Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

Noun

Mating calls: Male crickets chirp to attract females. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 23 July 2024

The music machine produced a sound reminiscent of chimes, scattered with noises of children playing, parrot chatter (from the somewhat infamous monk parakeets) and cricket chirps. —Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American-Statesman, 21 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

imitative

First Known Use

Verb

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

chirp

verb

ˈchərp

: to make a short sharp sound like a small bird or cricket

chirp noun