flutter

verb

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flut·ter | \ ˈflə-tər

fluttered; fluttering; flutters

Definition of flutter

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to flap the wings rapidly butterflies fluttering among the flowers

2a : to move with quick wavering or flapping motions a sail fluttering in the wind

b : to vibrate in irregular spasms his heart fluttered

3 : to move about or behave in an agitated aimless manner She nervously fluttered around the office.

transitive verb

: to cause to flutter The bird was fluttering its wings.

flutter

noun

Definition of flutter (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an act of fluttering

2a : a state of nervous confusion or excitement

b : flurry, commotion

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

3a : 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

Other Words from flutter Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About flutter

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Synonyms for flutter

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Noun

Examples of flutter in a Sentence

Verb The bird was fluttering its wings. The bird's wings were fluttering. We watched the butterflies fluttering in the garden. Leaves fluttered to the ground. The breeze made the curtains flutter. The breeze fluttered the curtains. She fluttered her eyelashes at him. She nervously fluttered around the office. Noun With a flutter of wings, the birds settled into the nest. The flutter of the flame cast shadows on the ceiling. He was in a flutter until he found his keys. The news of her resignation caused quite a flutter. have a flutter on a horse in the second race

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Alongside headstones honoring hundreds of the fallen who hailed from South Carolina, little flags flutter in the late spring breeze, each marked with the date - May 20, 1861 - when the state seceded from the Union. — Marc Fisher, Anchorage Daily News, 30 May 2021 However, the piece feels like a joyous return to ballet, as the dancers flutter about in ecru tutus. — Annie Goldsmith, Town & Country, 26 May 2021 In the northern hemisphere, thick and fleshy petals from magnolia trees flutter past lilac blooms, the earth pungent with renewal. — Gala Mukomolova, refinery29.com, 26 Apr. 2021 Flags flutter in the spring sunshine, and dried flower petals scatter across pavement marked with names and slogans. — Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2021 Cage-free production doesn’t mean that chickens are set free to peck at the ground and flutter their wings in the sun. — Jan Dutkiewicz, The New Republic, 23 Mar. 2021 The shot caused the puck to flutter up in the air and behind the goalie where North Eastern players Monica Mumma and Guin Donovan were fighting through the defensive players to get a stick on that puck. — Aegis Staff, baltimoresun.com, 18 Mar. 2021 Today, white and blue ribbons flutter in the wind the length of a city block. — Whitney Eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2021 The editorial eye certainly admires the boldness and coherence of the Riviera's design, but the shape somehow doesn't make our hearts flutter instantly. — Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 23 Feb. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun When O’Connell speaks, his hands sweep, flutter and slash. — Justin Kaneps, WSJ, 30 May 2021 Advanced technology can detect an electric signal flutter as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, even though the embryo isn’t yet a fetus and doesn’t have a heart. — BostonGlobe.com, 19 May 2021 Advanced technology can detect an electric signal flutter as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, even though the embryo isn’t yet a fetus and doesn’t have a heart. — Paul J. Weber, chicagotribune.com, 19 May 2021 It’s made with a lightweight polyester fabric, which is perfect for warm temperatures, and has short flutter sleeves that people love. — Sanah Faroke, Southern Living, 8 May 2021 If the audience effect is driven by predation, then the researchers would expect to see more of the whisperlike flutter call when fighters are alone and the ready-to-rumble squeal when other birds are present. — Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 6 May 2021 Advanced technology can detect an electric signal flutter as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, even though the embryo isn't yet a fetus and doesn't have a heart. — Jim Vertuno, Chron, 5 May 2021 On her feet once more and hunched in a defense stance, Eggleston watched Gabriel’s loft flutter high and arc down toward sophomore outside hitter Skylar Fields. — Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Apr. 2021 The liveliness of the first movement returns in the atonal finale, with pitch slides and vocal gargling effects, fast tremolos in the cello and thwacking accents and flutter-tonguing for the clarinet. — Tim Diovanni, Dallas News, 21 Apr. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flutter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.