twang

1 of 3

noun (1)

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
twangy adjective

twang

2 of 3

verb

twanged; twanging ˈtwaŋ-iŋ How to pronounce twang (audio)

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

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
On her latest, Spanish guitar flourishes, a cinematic Western vibe and Faith’s unique, sultry twang meld to convey this tale of a young woman who falls for a headstrong, restless cowboy. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 31 July 2023 Outside of getting used to McCarthy’s Pittsburgh/Wisconsin twang, everything is normal for the Cowboys. Calvin Watkins, Dallas News, 10 Aug. 2023 Country music, the century-old genre of nostalgia, tradition, and twang, has never been more in style. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 8 Aug. 2023 Morgan has written songs recorded by Jon Pardi and Jason Aldean, but on his latest release, the North Carolina native brings his own brand of twang. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 7 Aug. 2023 The diverse lineup showcases household names, respected veterans and fresh-faced upstarts whose range offers something for everyone fond of cowboy boots, down-home twang and relatable storytelling. Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2023 The male representative of this species proudly sports a pork pie straw hat, half Panama and half boater, so obviously transatlantic that every plait in it gives forth a twang. John Kelly, Washington Post, 2 May 2023 But there’s presently a huge appetite for sturdy songwriting and singers with a twang. James Sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2023 But there are flourishes of what celebrated Welsh musician Cate Le Bon — who produced Cousin — brought to the sessions, particularly a lead guitar that reverberates with an uncanny twang. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2023
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 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'twang.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of twang was circa 1553

Dictionary Entries Near twang

Cite this Entry

“Twang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twang. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

twang

1 of 2 noun
1
: a harsh quick ringing sound
2
: nasal speech

twang

2 of 2 verb
twanged; twanging ˈtwaŋ-iŋ How to pronounce twang (audio)
1
: to sound or cause to sound with a twang
2
: to speak with a nasal twang

More from Merriam-Webster on twang

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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