twang

[ twang ]

/ twæŋ /

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See synonyms for twang on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

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

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

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

verb (used with object)

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

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

to pluck the strings of (a musical instrument): to twang a guitar.

to speak with a sharp, nasal tone.

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

to let fly (an arrow).

noun

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

a sound resembling this.

an act of plucking or picking: He gave his guitar strings a twang.

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

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True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

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Origin of twang

First recorded in 1535–45; imitative

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

How to use twang in a sentence

Out of the darkening sky rang the twanging call of a night-hawk, and the cluck of a dozing hen sounded from the foliage overhead.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
Sebastian's warnings—twanging the same old string—only made his rage the hotter.
God Wills It!|William Stearns Davis
Hence the twanging and humming and rustling proceeded with even less intermission than usual.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles|Thomas Hardy
He was not going to see her, apparently, to-night; she was scared away by the twanging political atmosphere.
The Well-Beloved|Thomas Hardy

Now and then they heard human voices, laughter, and singing in the distance, and the twanging of musical instruments.
The Land of the Changing Sun|William N. Harben

British Dictionary definitions for twang

twang

/ (twæŋ) /

noun

a sharp ringing sound produced by or as if by the plucking of a taut stringthe twang of a guitar

the act of plucking a string to produce such a sound

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

verb

to make or cause to make a twangto twang a guitar

to strum (music, a tune, etc)to twang on a guitar

to speak or utter with a sharp nasal voice

(intr) to be released or move with a twangthe arrow twanged away

Derived forms of twang

twangy, adjective

Word Origin for twang

C16: of imitative 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

twang

Origin of twang

Words related to twang

How to use twang in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for twang

Derived forms of twang

Word Origin for twang