twitter

1 of 2

verb

twit·​ter ˈtwi-tər 

twittered; twittering; twitters

intransitive verb

1

: to utter successive chirping noises

2

a

: to talk in a chattering fashion

b

: giggle, titter

3

: to tremble with agitation : flutter

transitive verb

1

: to utter in chirps or twitters

the robin twittered its morning song

2

: to shake rapidly back and forth : flutter

twitter

2 of 2

noun

1

: a small tremulous intermittent sound (as of birds)

2

a

: a light silly laugh : giggle

b

: a light chattering

3

: a trembling agitation : quiver

twittery

ˈtwi-tə-rē 

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

• babble
• blab
• cackle
• chaffer [British]
• chat
• chatter
• chin [slang]
• converse
• gab
• gabble
• gas
• jabber
• jaw
• kibitz
• kibbitz
• natter
• palaver
• patter
• prate
• prattle
• rap
• rattle
• run on
• schmooze
• shmooze
• talk
• visit

Noun

• dither
• fluster
• fret
• fuss
• huff
• lather
• pother
• stew
• sweat
• swelter
• swivet
• tizzy

Examples of twitter in a Sentence

Verb

The birds were twittering in the trees.

A robin twittered its morning song.

What are those people twittering about?

Noun

The twitter of songbirds filled the air.

our grandmother gets all in a twitter if she doesn't get her weekly phone call right on time

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

It was specially recorded within an ancestral forest in the UK, and the sound of birds twittering is known to offer relief from burnout, mental fatigue and stress. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Some high-tech ones these days are designed to emit light mimicking sunrise, waking users gently with a soft glow and relaxing sounds such as birds twittering or the lilt of a flute. —Krystal Hur, CNN, 23 June 2024

Birds twittered and flitted through towering trees as bicyclists pedaled nearby. —Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 28 Apr. 2024

One of the most beloved of the songbirds, bluebirds can be identified by their bright blue and copper feathers, as well as their calls, which are cheerful and warbling tweeting and twittering sounds. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English twiteren; akin to Old High German zwizzirōn to twitter

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing twitter

• in a twitter

Kids Definition

twitter

1 of 2 verb

twit·​ter ˈtwit-ər 

1

: to make a series of chirping sounds

2

: to talk in a chattering fashion

3

: to make or become very nervous and upset

twitter

2 of 2 noun

1

: a nervous upset state

2

: the chirping of birds

3

: a light chattering