flitter

¹ American  

[flit-er] / ˈflɪt ər /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to flutter.

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flitter ² American  

[flit-er] / ˈflɪt ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that flits.

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flitter ³ American  

[flit-er] / ˈflɪt ər /

noun

1. fine metallic fragments, especially as used for ornamentation.

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flitter ⁴ American  

[flit-er] / ˈflɪt ər /

noun

Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.

1. a fritter or pancake.

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flitter British  

/ ˈflɪtə /

verb

1. a less common word for flutter

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Etymology

Origin of flitter¹

First recorded in 1535–45; flit + -er ⁶

Origin of flitter²

First recorded in 1535–45; flit + -er ¹

Origin of flitter³

First recorded in 1840–50; from German; literally, “tinsel, spangle”

Origin of flitter⁴

Apparently by dissimilation from fritter ²

Example Sentences

“If the market is going to flitter around that, that might be a buying opportunity,” as the Fed is loosening monetary policy at a time when the economy seems “pretty solid,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 30, 2025

There are times in Nolan’s latest opus that flames fill the frame and visions of subatomic particles flitter across the screen — montages of Oppenheimer’s own churning visions.

From Washington Times • Jul. 19, 2023

When I’ve gone hiking with my dog, I rarely feel lonely as I listen to birdsong and watch the great monarchs flitter and flutter.

From Washington Post • Dec. 3, 2021

Listen hard enough, and the nearly sitcom-length middle can even feel short when the same big, bending sounds are crammed into little pockets of time that flitter away before you know it.

From Washington Post • Apr. 1, 2021

Cousin Eunice would flutter and flitter, and before they knew it the Tillermans would be adopted.

From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt