twitch

1 of 3

verb

ˈtwich 

twitched; twitching; twitches

intransitive verb

1

: to move jerkily : quiver

2

: to undergo a brief spasmodic muscular contraction

his hand twitched

3

: pull, pluck

twitched at my sleeve

transitive verb

: to move or pull with a sudden motion : jerk

twitcher noun

twitch

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

a

: a brief spasmodic contraction of the muscle fibers

b

: a slight jerk of a body part

2

: an act of twitching

especially : a short sudden pull or jerk

3

: a physical or mental pang

a twitch of remorse

4

: a sudden quick movement or change

Economists studied every twitch of the business cycle.

5

: a loop of rope or strap that is tightened over a horse's lip as a restraining device

twitchily

ˈtwi-chə-lē 

adverb

twitch

3 of 3

noun (2)

: quack grass

Synonyms of twitch

Verb

• fidget
• squirm
• jerk
• toss
• tremble
• wiggle
• twist
• fiddle

Examples of twitch in a Sentence

Verb

Her mouth was twitching as she began to cry.

The rabbit twitched its ears.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The bonito’s body twitched until Yamasaki slid a thin metal wire down the column of its spinal cord, a second step called shinkei jime, which arrests its nervous system. —Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026

Persistent muscle twitches Everyone’s muscles twitch from time to time, usually at various locations. —Angela Haupt, Time, 15 Jan. 2026

Noun

This vision system works in tandem with forearm EMG sensors that detect muscle twitches in the user’s forearm. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Jan. 2026

The Giants will be thrilled if Hernandez can develop as well in his first year as Gonzalez, a switch-hitter with quick-twitch athleticism who has been compared to Francisco Lindor. —Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English twicchen; akin to Old English twiccian to pluck, Old High German gizwickan to pinch

Noun (2)

alteration of quitch

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (1)

circa 1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1595, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing twitch

• fast-twitch
• slow-twitch

Rhymes for twitch

• bitch
• ditch
• fiche
• glitch
• hitch
• ich
• itch
• kitsch
• lich
• mitch
• niche
• pitch

Kids Definition

twitch

1 of 2 verb

ˈtwich 

1

: to move or pull with a sudden motion : jerk

2

: quiver entry 2

3

: to undergo a brief muscular contraction

his hand twitched

twitch

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act of twitching

2

a

: a brief contraction of muscle fibers

b

: a slight jerk of a body part

twitchy

-ē

adjective

Medical Definition

twitch

1 of 3 intransitive verb

ˈtwich 

: to undergo a brief spasmodic muscular contraction

the muscle twitched

twitch

2 of 3 noun

: a brief spasmodic contraction of muscle fibers

also : a slight jerk of a body part caused by such a contraction

twitch

3 of 3 noun

: quack grass