twang

¹twang

noun \ˈtwaŋ\

Definition of TWANG

1

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

2

a : nasal speech or resonance

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

3

a : an act of plucking

b : pang, twinge

— twangy \ˈtwaŋ-ē\ adjective

Origin of TWANG

imitative

First Known Use: circa 1553

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with TWANG

bang, bhang, clang, dang, fang, Fang, gang, gangue, hang, pang, prang, slang, spang, sprang, stang, tang, whang, yang

²twang

verb

twangedtwang·ing \ˈtwaŋ-iŋ\

Definition of TWANG

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>

— twang·er noun

Examples of TWANG

1. The rope twanged when it snapped.
2. He was twanging the strings of the guitar.

First Known Use of TWANG

1570

³twang

noun

Definition of TWANG

1

: a persisting flavor, taste, or odor : tang

2

: suggestion, trace

Origin of TWANG

alteration of tang

First Known Use: circa 1611