twang

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈtwaŋ 

1

a

: nasal speech or resonance

b

: the characteristic speech of a region, locality, or group of people

2

: a harsh quick ringing sound like that of a plucked banjo string

3

a

: an act of plucking

b

: pang, twinge

twangy

ˈtwaŋ-ē 

adjective

twang

2 of 3

verb

twanged; twanging ˈtwaŋ-iŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to sound with a twang

the couch twanged when he sat down

2

: to speak or sound with a nasal intonation

3

: to throb or twitch with pain or tension

transitive verb

1

: to cause to sound with a twang

2

: to utter or pronounce with a nasal twang

3

: to pluck the string of

twang a guitar

twanger noun

twang

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: a persisting flavor, taste, or odor : tang

2

: suggestion, trace

Examples of twang in a Sentence

Verb

The rope twanged when it snapped.

He was twanging the strings of the guitar.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Explore See latest videos, charts and news Aged just 15, Harper possesses a beefy voice, with twang, swagger and command that could — should — belong to a seasoned pro. —Lars Brandle, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024

Honda hybrids have a similar sound but with their own inflection, like a Georgia native’s accent versus someone else’s twang in Texas. —Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2024

Steel strings twang with each pull from the metal rings — wearable guitar picks — adorning his right thumb, index and middle finger. —Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2024

There are drawls, and then there are twangs, accented vowels that are compounded into two or three, sometimes changing the pace of speech, other times not. —New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024

Lazer has a heavy, heavy ATL twang, rooting his songs in his hometown—think Young Nudy crossed with Playboi Carti—but he’s also got an extremely clumsy delivery that tweaks the frequency slightly. —Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 22 Mar. 2024

As the camera pans back, the giant ad shows Beyoncé waving in a cowboy hat as a country twang plays in the background, featuring her own vocals. —Becca Wood, NBC News, 12 Mar. 2024

In anticipation of her forthcoming new album, the iconic entertainer has released two singles with some serious twang. —Aj Willingham, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024

Overall, the concert film is silly and forgettable, but this performance is classic Taylor, from the sparkly dress to the debut-era twang. —Janey Tracey, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2024

Verb

The practice of rewriting the lyrics and twanging up old rock songs is on the way to becoming a tradition for country music, with more on the way. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2023

Other types of biologically active molecules can also twang the delicate neurons, interfering with thoughts, memories and behaviors. —Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 20 June 2023

The realtor had not grown up in the city, and her words twanged with eastern water’s edge. —Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Apr. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

imitative

Noun (2)

alteration of tang

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1553, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1570, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

twang

1 of 2 noun

ˈtwaŋ 

1

: a harsh quick ringing sound

2

: nasal speech

twang

2 of 2 verb

twanged; twanging ˈtwaŋ-iŋ 

1

: to sound or cause to sound with a twang

2

: to speak with a nasal twang