twitter

C1 Topic:Communication
US /ˈtwɪtəɹ/ UK /ˈtwɪtə/
verb noun Freq #8580

Meanings

  1. 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. 2
    noun

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

    The twitter of swallows echoed beneath the bridge.

  3. 3
    verb

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

    Guests twittered excitedly about the surprise announcement.

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,... chatterbabble
Opposites
fall silent
Word family
Forms twittering
Derived forms twitteringtwitteryatwitter
Related forms chirptweetwarble

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

markdown

Send feedback

Optional — only if you'd like a reply.