jitter

1 of 2

noun

jit·​ter ˈji-tər 

1

jitters ˈji-tərz  plural : a sense of panic or extreme nervousness

had a bad case of the jitters before his performance

2

: the state of mind or the movement of one that jitters

3

: irregular random movement (as of a pointer or an image on a television screen)

also : vibratory motion

jitter

2 of 2

verb

jittered; jittering; jitters

intransitive verb

1

: to make continuous fast repetitive movements

2

: to be nervous or act in a nervous way

Synonyms of jitter

Noun

• nerves
• shivers
• butterflies

Examples of jitter in a Sentence

Noun

always got the jitters right before a test

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The prospect of Burnham, considered more left-leaning than Starmer, replacing the incumbent prime minister has sent jitters through bond markets in recent weeks. —Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 29 May 2026

Marx’s jitters may be due to recent unwelcome scrutiny by conservative talk radio hosts. —Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 28 May 2026

Verb

Whatever jitters the Sabres were feeling in the first round seem to be behind them. —Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 7 May 2026

But when viewed as the 78-year-old artist intends—through a phone camera—the forms appear to jitter like static. —Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for jitter

• bitter
• critter
• fitter
• fritter
• glitter
• hitter
• knitter
• litter
• quitter
• ritter
• splitter
• titter