jittery

[jit-uh-ree]

adjective

jitterier, jitteriest 

1. extremely tense and nervous; jumpy.

   He's very jittery about the medical checkup.

jittery

/ ˈdʒɪtərɪ /

adjective

1. informal,  nervous and anxious

Other Word Forms

• jitteriness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of jittery¹

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35; jitter + -y ¹

Example Sentences

But seemingly jittery in the face of what it perceives as a US threat, Maduro's government is now training up the militia.

Read more on BBC

That jittery energy gave the movie its spark and proved Redford could match Newman not just in charisma but in presence.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A miracle required when your defence is populated by jittery players and leaks like a sieve.

Read more on BBC

Deploying a high defensive line cost Pep Guardiola's City side the opening goal, while goalkeeper James Trafford did not cover himself in glory for the second in an overall jittery performance on his home debut.

Read more on BBC

“Don’t be caught here after dark,” said the jittery cop, who brandished an assault rifle as he scanned the environs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anxious 
• apprehensive 
• edgy 
• excitable 
• fidgety 
• jumpy 
• panicky www.thesaurus.com
• restless 
• shaky 
• skittish 
• spooked www.thesaurus.com
• tense 
• uneasy 
• uptight