the jitters
plural noun
informal
: a very nervous feeling
I always get (a bad case of) the jitters before I have to give a speech.
Examples of the jitters in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Skip the jitters without skipping the ritual.
—
Brittany Loggins, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2025
He was drawn to the jitters at the starting line, the energy the community of runners around him provided.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
For Ferguson, the jitters started early, when she was told that Bigelow, one of her favorite filmmakers, wanted to chat with her about a potential role.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2025
Many people sip it for an energy boost without the jitters of coffee, but matcha may also help balance blood sugar.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 12 Sep. 2025
The all-important Nvidia earnings on Wednesday illustrate the jitters, as record revenue still failed to prevent investors taking a few percentage points off the stock.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2025
This makes matcha a good option for those who want sustained energy without the jitters often associated with coffee.10
Heart Health
Research shows that green tea consumption is linked to a lower risk of heart disease.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 26 Aug. 2025
Shy at first, she’s quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton and is reminded that everyone at school gets the jitters sometimes.
—Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
Frank doesn’t like heights and Neil gets the jitters around big dogs.
—Marah Eakin, Vulture, 26 June 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Brittany Loggins, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2025
He was drawn to the jitters at the starting line, the energy the community of runners around him provided.
—Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
For Ferguson, the jitters started early, when she was told that Bigelow, one of her favorite filmmakers, wanted to chat with her about a potential role.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2025
Many people sip it for an energy boost without the jitters of coffee, but matcha may also help balance blood sugar.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 12 Sep. 2025
The all-important Nvidia earnings on Wednesday illustrate the jitters, as record revenue still failed to prevent investors taking a few percentage points off the stock.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2025
This makes matcha a good option for those who want sustained energy without the jitters often associated with coffee.10
Heart Health
Research shows that green tea consumption is linked to a lower risk of heart disease.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 26 Aug. 2025
Shy at first, she’s quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton and is reminded that everyone at school gets the jitters sometimes.
—Ashlee Conour, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
Frank doesn’t like heights and Neil gets the jitters around big dogs.
—Marah Eakin, Vulture, 26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“The jitters.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20jitters. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share