twitter

1 of 2

verb

twit·​ter ˈtwi-tər How to pronounce twitter (audio)
twittered; twittering; twitters

intransitive verb

1
: to utter successive chirping noises
2
a
: to talk in a chattering fashion
b
3
: to tremble with agitation : flutter

transitive verb

1
: to utter in chirps or twitters
the robin twittered its morning song
2
: to shake rapidly back and forth : flutter

twitter

2 of 2

noun

1
: a small tremulous intermittent sound (as of birds)
2
a
: a light silly laugh : giggle
b
: a light chattering
3
: a trembling agitation : quiver
twittery adjective

Examples of twitter in a Sentence

Verb The birds were twittering in the trees. A robin twittered its morning song. What are those people twittering about? Noun The twitter of songbirds filled the air. our grandmother gets all in a twitter if she doesn't get her weekly phone call right on time
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Some high-tech ones these days are designed to emit light mimicking sunrise, waking users gently with a soft glow and relaxing sounds such as birds twittering or the lilt of a flute. Krystal Hur, CNN, 23 June 2024 Birds twittered and flitted through towering trees as bicyclists pedaled nearby. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 28 Apr. 2024 One of the most beloved of the songbirds, bluebirds can be identified by their bright blue and copper feathers, as well as their calls, which are cheerful and warbling tweeting and twittering sounds. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2023 Spring has been unusually noisy here in New England, more Stravinsky than twittering Vivaldi. Christopher Benfey, The New York Review of Books, 11 Apr. 2023 See all Example Sentences for twitter 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'twitter.' 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

Verb

Middle English twiteren; akin to Old High German zwizzirōn to twitter

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of twitter was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near twitter

Cite this Entry

“Twitter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twitter. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

twitter

1 of 2 verb
twit·​ter ˈtwit-ər How to pronounce twitter (audio)
1
: to make a series of chirping sounds
2
: to talk in a chattering fashion
3
: to make or become very nervous and upset

twitter

2 of 2 noun
1
: a nervous upset state
2
: the chirping of birds
3
: a light chattering

More from Merriam-Webster on twitter

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!