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

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

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.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

I knew I sounded snotty, but like the first notes of a country-and-western tune, these days the mere mention of Fang gave me an uncomfortable twang.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx