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

But it was ballads like Casual, Coffee and Picture You that really showcased the star's voice – all country twang and breathy vocal flips, that puts her on a higher plane than her pop contemporaries.

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Meister, whose slight Southern twang sweeps into conversation through his 20-plus-year career in the Lone Star State as the Texas Rangers’ team physician, is a leading voice in baseball’s pitching-injury epidemic.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Thanks,” she said in a western twang, beaming at me.

Read more on Salon

Bavuma, who played the majority of his innings limping with a hamstring twang, hobbled off.

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Even overall men's style in Punjab bears some of this cosmopolitan twang.

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