flutter

¹flut·ter

verb \ˈflə-tər\

Definition of FLUTTER

intransitive verb

1

: to flap the wings rapidly

2

a : to move with quick wavering or flapping motions

b : to vibrate in irregular spasms

3

: to move about or behave in an agitated aimless manner

transitive verb

: to cause to flutter

— flut·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun

— flut·tery \-tər-ē\ adjective

Examples of FLUTTER

1. The bird was fluttering its wings.
2. The bird's wings were fluttering.
3. We watched the butterflies fluttering in the garden.
4. Leaves fluttered to the ground.
5. The breeze made the curtains flutter.
6. The breeze fluttered the curtains.
7. She fluttered her eyelashes at him.
8. She nervously fluttered around the office.

Origin of FLUTTER

Middle English floteren to float, flutter, from Old English floterian, frequentative of flotian to float; akin to Old English flēotan to float — more at fleet

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FLUTTER

Synonyms

dance, dart, flick, flicker, flirt, flitter, flit, zip

Related Words

dash, fly, sail, shoot, speed, sprint, zing, zoom; scamper, scud, scurry, scuttle, skip, skitter; meander, ramble, roam, wander

Near Antonyms

float, hang, hover

Rhymes with FLUTTER

butter, clutter, cutter, gutter, mutter, nutter, putter, scutter, shutter, splutter, sputter, strutter, stutter, utter

²flutter

noun

Definition of FLUTTER

1

: an act of fluttering

2

a : a state of nervous confusion or excitement

b : flurry, commotion

c : abnormal spasmodic fluttering of a body part <treatment of atrial flutter>

3

a : a distortion in reproduced sound similar to but of a higher pitch than wow

b : fluctuation in the brightness of a television image

4

: an unwanted oscillation (as of an aileron or a bridge) set up by natural forces

5

chiefly British : a small speculative venture or gamble

Examples of FLUTTER

1. With a flutter of wings, the birds settled into the nest.
2. The flutter of the flame cast shadows on the ceiling.
3. He was in a flutter until he found his keys.
4. The news of her resignation caused quite a flutter.
5. have a flutter on a horse in the second race

First Known Use of FLUTTER

1641

Related to FLUTTER

Synonyms

burst, flare, flare-up, flash, flicker, flurry, outbreak, outburst, spurt

Antonyms

sure thing

Related Words

recrudescence, recurrence, renewal; binge, jag, spree; boost, increase, pickup, upswing, upturn; epidemic, eruption, explosion, paroxysm; deluge, flood, rush, spate, surge, volley; commotion, furor, uproar

Near Antonyms

calm, doldrums, slump

Other Audio Recording Terms

baffle, dub, fidelity, transcription, treble

Rhymes with FLUTTER

butter, clutter, gutter, mutter, shutter, splutter, sputter, strutter, stutter, utter

flut·ter

noun \ˈflət-ər\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of FLUTTER

: an abnormal rapid spasmodic and usually rhythmic motion or contraction of a body part <diaphragmatic flutter> <affected with ventricular flutter>

—flutter intransitive verb