chirp

American  

[churp] / tʃɜrp /

verb (used without object)

1. to make a characteristic short, sharp sound, as small birds and certain insects.

2. to make any similar sound.

   The children chirped with amusement.

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verb (used with object)

1. to sound or utter in a chirping manner.

   The little girl chirped her joy.

noun

1. a chirping sound.

chirp ¹ British  

/ tʃɜːp /

verb

1. (esp of some birds and insects) to make a short high-pitched sound

2. to speak in a lively fashion

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noun

1. a chirping sound, esp that made by a bird

CHIRP ² British  

/ tʃɜːp /

acronym

1. Confidential Human Incidents Reporting Programme: a system, run by the RAF Institute of Medicine, by which commercial pilots can comment on safety trends without the knowledge of their employers

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Other Word Forms

• chirper noun
• chirpingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of chirp

1400–50; late Middle English chyrpynge (gerund); expressive word akin to cheep, chirk, etc.

Example Sentences

The supernova appeared to produce a strange signal that sped up over time, something he described as a "chirp."

From Science Daily

Cars zoom by on Main Street, and two birds chirp to each other from different branches of the same tall tree.

From Literature

“Good morning,” I chirped with a wide smile as I set my tray of eggs and toast down next to his.

From Literature

Sit at one of the tables, and don’t be surprised to hear the sounds of birds chirping from the man-made trees.

From Los Angeles Times

The pixies don’t dance and chirp the way they used to.

From Literature

Related Words

• trill
• warble