twang

American  

[twang] / twæŋ /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of twang

First recorded in 1535–45; imitative

Example Sentences

Marriott in Caracas is an unusual sound: Spanish spoken with a Texas twang.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

On the one hand, his vocal stylings are well-suited to affect a slightly country twang — by way of Liverpool, of course.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2026

Wearing cowboy boots and a handlebar mustache, he had a Texas twang and a quiet, calm presence that disarmed suspects, eliciting confessions.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

A Midwestern twang is "a very feet on the ground, back in the heels of your boots type of accent", she said.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

For hours on end the whir of the spinning wheel and the twang of the loom were the only sounds.

From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare