twitter

C1 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈtwɪtəɹ/ UK /ˈtwɪtə/ See IPA manual

Freq #8580

Meanings

1

verb
to make a rapid series of light, high-pitched chirping sounds, especially as a bird

Sparrows twitter in the hedge before sunrise.
2

noun
a rapid series of light chirps or similar high-pitched sounds

The twitter of swallows echoed beneath the bridge.
3

verb
to talk rapidly in a light, excited, or nervous voice

Guests twittered excitedly about the surprise announcement.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to make a rapid series of... chirpchittertweet

2 noun · a rapid series of light... chirpingchittering

3 verb · to talk rapidly in a light,... chatter babble

Opposites

fall silent

Word family

Forms twittering

Derived forms twitteringtwitteryatwitter

Related forms chirp tweet warble

Etymology

From Middle English twiteren, probably an imitative Germanic formation that echoes a bird's repeated calls. It is cognate with Low German twitteren and German zwitschern. The human-speech sense arose by comparing light, rapid talk with birdsong.

Topics

Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# twitter

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** verb, noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈtwɪtəɹ/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈtwɪtə/
**Frequency rank:** 8580

## Meanings
1. to make a rapid series of light, high-pitched chirping sounds, especially as a bird
2. a rapid series of light chirps or similar high-pitched sounds
3. to talk rapidly in a light, excited, or nervous voice

## Examples
- Sparrows twitter in the hedge before sunrise.
- The twitter of swallows echoed beneath the bridge.
- Guests twittered excitedly about the surprise announcement.

## Synonyms
- chirp
- chitter
- tweet
- chatter

## Antonyms
- fall silent

## Derived Forms
- twittering
- twittery
- atwitter

## Related Forms
- chirp
- tweet
- warble

## Etymology
From Middle English twiteren, probably an imitative Germanic formation that echoes a bird's repeated calls. It is cognate with Low German twitteren and German zwitschern. The human-speech sense arose by comparing light, rapid talk with birdsong.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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