jittery
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- jitteriness noun
Etymology
Origin of jittery
Explanation
Jittery can describe jerky or nervous actions. If you consume a lot of caffeine, you might appear jittery. If a running back is darting around quickly and unpredictably, making herky-jerky movements, he's jittery. Also, jittery applies to people who feel nervous or tense. If you're worried about a test, you'll feel jittery. During the last minute of a basketball game, some players get jittery. Synonyms for this nervous kind of jittery are edgy, high-strung, jumpy, nervy, and uptight.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We've got clients at the moment who are getting really jittery about Cyprus, which is a shame because tourism is their main industry."
From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026
Still, there’s plenty of reason to feel jittery at the moment.
From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026
As Alpha waits for the results of blood tests, she is startled by the sudden appearance of a gaunt, jittery stranger in their apartment.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
Spreads typically increase when investors feel jittery, worried about defaults or when alternative assets become more attractive to buy.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026
When I rounded another corner, I took a moment to lean against a white storefront until I could catch my breath and calm my jittery nerves.
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
