jitterbug

[ jit-er-buhg ]

/ ˈdʒɪt ərˌbʌg /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for jitterbug on Thesaurus.com

noun

a strenuously acrobatic dance consisting of a few standardized steps augmented by twirls, splits, somersaults, etc., popular especially in the early 1940s and performed chiefly to boogie-woogie and swing.

a person who dances the jitterbug.

verb (used without object), jit·ter·bugged, jit·ter·bug·ging.

to dance the jitterbug.

QUIZ

CUDDLE UP! A COZY QUIZ ON FALL WORDS HAS ARRIVED

If autumn is your ideal season, spice up your repertoire of "fall" vocabulary with this quiz on some warm and vivid descriptive words for the season.

Question 1 of 10

Which of the following words means “to make a crackling sound; crackle”?

crisp

crepitate

fuscous

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of jitterbug

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35; jitter + bug¹

OTHER WORDS FROM jitterbug

jit·ter·bug·ger, noun

Words nearby jitterbug

jird, jism, JIT, jitney, jitter, jitterbug, jittery, jiujitsu, jiva, Jívaro, jive

How to use jitterbug in a sentence

Would rather join the bandSome of our most musically inclined presidents would rather jam than jitterbug.
Not all presidents’ dance skills are created equal|Bonnie Berkowitz, Joanne Lee|January 21, 2021|Washington Post
Instead of our sixth iPhone we suddenly start thinking about our first Jitterbug.
Christmas Is the New Subprime|Doug McIntyre|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was a seemingly stoned zombie and she did the jitterbug the entire show (no, not really).
John Travolta Butchers Idina Menzel’s Name and More Presenter Screw Ups|Marina Watts|March 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The family had not been allowed to take their dog, but Patsy had been able to bring her jitterbug trophy.
Pearl Harbor’s Anniversary Sparks Memories of a Long-Ago Dance Contest|Michael Daly|December 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The ranger took her to the curator, who searched the archives for anything regarding the jitterbug contest.
Pearl Harbor’s Anniversary Sparks Memories of a Long-Ago Dance Contest|Michael Daly|December 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Somewhere in that expanse of California sky, I know Edith Jefferson will be doing the jitterbug.
David Jefferson on His Four Gay Marriages and a Legal Victory Against Prop 8|David Jefferson|February 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for jitterbug

jitterbug

/ (ˈdʒɪtəˌbʌɡ) /

noun

a fast jerky American dance, usually to a jazz accompaniment, that was popular in the 1940s

a person who dances the jitterbug

a highly nervous or excitable person

verb -bugs, -bugging or -bugged

(intr) to perform such a dance

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

jitterbug

Origin of jitterbug

OTHER WORDS FROM jitterbug

Words nearby jitterbug

Words related to jitterbug

How to use jitterbug in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for jitterbug