twang

[twang]

verb (used without object)

1. to give out a sharp, vibrating sound, as the string of a musical instrument when plucked.

2. to produce such a sound by plucking a stringed musical instrument.

3. to have or produce a sharp, nasal tone, as the human voice.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to make a sharp, vibrating sound, as a string of a musical instrument.

2. to produce (music) by plucking the strings of a musical instrument.

3. to pluck the strings of (a musical instrument).

   to twang a guitar.

4. to speak with a sharp, nasal tone.

5. to pull the string of (an archer's bow).

6. to let fly (an arrow).

noun

1. the sharp, ringing sound produced by plucking or suddenly releasing a tense string.

2. a sound resembling this.

3. an act of plucking or picking.

   He gave his guitar strings a twang.

4. a sharp, nasal tone, as of the human voice.

twang

/ twæŋ /

noun

1. a sharp ringing sound produced by or as if by the plucking of a taut string

   the twang of a guitar

2. the act of plucking a string to produce such a sound

3. a strongly nasal quality in a person's speech, esp in certain dialects

verb

1. to make or cause to make a twang

   to twang a guitar

2. to strum (music, a tune, etc)

   to twang on a guitar

3. to speak or utter with a sharp nasal voice

4. (intr) to be released or move with a twang

   the arrow twanged away

Other Word Forms

• twangy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of twang¹

First recorded in 1535–45; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of twang¹

C16: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Mrs. Choi is the queen bee of Autumn’s well-off neighborhood, and her Southern twang is like her designer shoes—something she never forgets to put on before she leaves the house.

Read more on Literature

With his country twang and aw-shucks mannerisms belying a keen intellect, Will Rogers was the lasso-roping star of vaudeville and the Broadway stage.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Oh my goodness, they are the absolute best,” she says in her soft Texan twang.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And the album concludes with “Night Gang,” which returns to the high-desert guitar twang found earlier and combines with a hazy suggestion of a reggae beat and dramatic rushes of synth.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But his friends have called him out over a slight Queensland twang to his accent.

Read more on BBC