jitter

[ jit-er ]

/ ˈdʒɪt ər /

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See synonyms for: jitter / jittered / jittering / jitters on Thesaurus.com

noun

(the) jitters, nervousness; a feeling of fright or uneasiness: Every time I have to make a speech, I get the jitters.

fluctuations in the image on a television screen or in copy received by facsimile transmission, caused by interference or by momentary failures of synchronization.

verb (used without object)

to behave nervously.

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Origin of jitter

First recorded 1920–25; variant of chitter “to shiver” (Middle English chiteren ), modification or variant of chatter

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use jitter in a sentence

How big the jitter is, and thus whether it can be detected, ultimately depends on the type of gravitational wave hitting the detector.
How the Bits of Quantum Gravity Can Buzz|Thomas Lewton|July 23, 2020|Quanta Magazine
It took a few moments to steady her jittering thoughts enough to gain a more definite impression than that.
Novice|James H. Schmitz
Even as he stood there, outwardly calm but jittering internally, the Martian riders pulled up ten feet from the Earthmen.
It's a Small Solar System|Allan Howard
Don Loris, jittering, displayed a sort of professional conversational charm.
The Pirates of Ersatz|Murray Leinster

Josip's hands were jittering so he jammed them into his pockets.
Expediter|Dallas McCord Reynolds
Don Loris, jittering, shivered next to Hoddan's grandfather.
The Pirates of Ersatz|Murray Leinster

British Dictionary definitions for jitter

jitter

/ (ˈdʒɪtə) informal /

verb

(intr) to be anxious or nervous

noun

the jitters nervousness and anxiety

electronics small rapid variations in the amplitude or timing of a waveform arising from fluctuations in the voltage supply, mechanical vibrations, etc

Word Origin for jitter

C20: of unknown origin

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

jitter

Origin of jitter

Words related to jitter

How to use jitter in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for jitter

Word Origin for jitter