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Synonyms

twerp

American  
[twurp] / twɜrp /
Or twirp

noun

Slang.
  • twerps
    plural
  1. an insignificant or despicable fellow.

    Her father thinks her boyfriend is just a twerp.


twerp British  
/ twɜːp /

noun

  1. informal a silly, weak-minded, or contemptible person

"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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Etymology

Origin of twerp

First recorded in 1920–25; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

On the other hand, Boy Kavalier is such an evil twerp that you want him to stay around long enough to earn the outcome he deserves, whatever that ends up being.

From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2025

Kind of a little twerp, now and again.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 7, 2022

Aegon, now played by Tom Glynn-Carney, has graduated from silly twerp to vile lout.

From New York Times ● Oct. 9, 2022

In the same way, Moore had no idea the public school twerp who captained his side was struggling.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 22, 2020

And news she had: “Jordan Rylance”—the lucky twerp across town who goes to the Performing Arts School—“announced a very special trip he’s taking to New York City, Nate,” Libby said, grinning like a Lotto winner.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle

"You have first- and second-term twerps that think they know the solution to everything," said former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., who retired in 2007.

From Time ● Jul. 19, 2017

Unfortunately lots of young twerps in the audience are giving it a go, at a show that's more like a Doctor Who fan convention than a normal Prom.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 14, 2013

Songwriter Tim Minchin pays tribute to "the little twerps" as he collects the gong for best new musical.

From BBC ● Dec. 28, 2012

I respect that tattoos aren't for everyone, but frankly, I'd sooner have view-obstructing top hats and braying twerps banished from The Season.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 23, 2012

“What’s wrong with you twerps today? Stop messing with the napkins!”

From "Trouble at the Arcade (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #1)" by Franklin W. Dixon

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