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.

---

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

---

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

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

Asked whether she had ever considered giving her character a Brummie twang, Ferguson said it was never on the cards.

From BBC

Side note: I’d wanted her to call the channel Knitty Gritty, but she broke my heart and went with Yarn Star because it sounded like “yarn store” spoken with a heavy Southern twang.

From Literature

Every nerve in my body was twanging like the “e” string on a fiddler’s fiddle.

From Literature

I noted just the faintest hint of a country twang.

From Literature