twang

American  

[twang] / twæŋ /

verb (used without object)

1. to give out a sharp, vibrating sound, as the string of a musical instrument when plucked.

2. to produce such a sound by plucking a stringed musical instrument.

3. to have or produce a sharp, nasal tone, as the human voice.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cause to make a sharp, vibrating sound, as a string of a musical instrument.

2. to produce (music) by plucking the strings of a musical instrument.

3. to pluck the strings of (a musical instrument).

   to twang a guitar.

4. to speak with a sharp, nasal tone.

5. to pull the string of (an archer's bow).

6. to let fly (an arrow).

noun

1. the sharp, ringing sound produced by plucking or suddenly releasing a tense string.

2. a sound resembling this.

3. an act of plucking or picking.

   He gave his guitar strings a twang.

4. a sharp, nasal tone, as of the human voice.

twang British  

/ twæŋ /

noun

1. a sharp ringing sound produced by or as if by the plucking of a taut string

   the twang of a guitar

2. the act of plucking a string to produce such a sound

3. a strongly nasal quality in a person's speech, esp in certain dialects

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verb

1. to make or cause to make a twang

   to twang a guitar

2. to strum (music, a tune, etc)

   to twang on a guitar

3. to speak or utter with a sharp nasal voice

4. (intr) to be released or move with a twang

   the arrow twanged away

Other Word Forms

• twangy adjective

Etymology

Origin of twang

First recorded in 1535–45; imitative

Example Sentences

With his country twang and aw-shucks mannerisms belying a keen intellect, Will Rogers was the lasso-roping star of vaudeville and the Broadway stage.

From Los Angeles Times

“Oh my goodness, they are the absolute best,” she says in her soft Texan twang.

From Los Angeles Times

And the album concludes with “Night Gang,” which returns to the high-desert guitar twang found earlier and combines with a hazy suggestion of a reggae beat and dramatic rushes of synth.

From The Wall Street Journal

But his friends have called him out over a slight Queensland twang to his accent.

From BBC

"I'd say it's a desert aesthetic with a soul vocal. Like a Tarantino soundtrack or a Nancy Sinatra album – the twang of the guitars, the sultriness of the production."

From BBC