chirp

[churp]

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.

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

/ tʃɜːp /

verb

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

2. to speak in a lively fashion

noun

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

CHIRP

²

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• chirper noun
• chirpingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of chirp¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of chirp¹

C15 (as chirpinge, gerund): of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Their chirps are the sound of the old battle-ax saying goodbye to his homeland before the Iron Curtain slams shut.

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The weather turns warm, the chirping of the birds grows louder, and the lapping water is music to my ears.

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“I wonder what name Lord Fredrick and Lady Constance have picked for the baby,” she chirped.

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The earth was springy with moss, and a white-throated warbler chirped merrily from somewhere nearby.

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She stuck the jet-black feather in her hair and began prancing around and chirping orders in a wicked imitation of Lady Constance Ashton.

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Related Words

• trill 
• warble