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

Take a sunset walk along the gently sloped, flower-scented streets above busy Sunset Boulevard in Brentwood — you will be immersed in a stillness broken only by birds chirping in the treetops.

From Los Angeles Times

Atmosphere is everything here: Two of the soon-to-be-released tracks border on ambient, zeroing in on the sounds of church bells and chirping birds and the expansive feeling of mushrooms blooming across a forest floor.

From Los Angeles Times

Their version of sweet talk is Ivy chirping, “Never leave me — but when you do, kill me on the way out.”

From Los Angeles Times

The motion-activated chirping device is being tested out at a West Hollywood location to discourage homeless people from camping out.

From Los Angeles Times

I’ll sit in my kitchen — I’ve got nothing but birds chirping and the sun’s coming in — doodling for hours if I’m allowed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• trill 
• warble