twitch

¹ American  

[twich] / twɪtʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to tug or pull at with a quick, short movement; pluck.

   She twitched him by the sleeve.

2. to jerk rapidly.

   The rider twitched the reins a couple of times.

3. to move (a part of the body) with a sudden, jerking motion.

4. to pinch or pull at sharply and painfully; give a smarting pinch to; nip.

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verb (used without object)

1. to move spasmodically or convulsively; jerk; jump.

2. to give a sharp, sudden pull; tug; pluck (usually followed byat ).

   He constantly twitched at his collar.

3. to ache or hurt with a sharp, shooting pain; twinge.

   That back tooth twitches a bit.

noun

1. a quick, jerky movement of the body or of some part of it.

2. involuntary, spasmodic movement of a muscle; tic.

   He gets a twitch in his left eye when he's nervous.

3. a short, sudden pull or tug; jerk.

4. a bodily or mental twinge, as of pain, conscience, etc.; pang.

5. a loop or noose placed over the muzzle of a horse and tightened by twisting a stick or handle to which it is attached, used as a restraining device during a painful operation.

Twitch ² American  

[twich] / twɪtʃ /

Trademark.

1. a brand name for a livestreaming video platform, primarily delivering video game content with audio commentary and concurrent online chat among viewers.

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twitch British  

/ twɪtʃ /

verb

1. to move or cause to move in a jerky spasmodic way

2. (tr) to pull or draw (something) with a quick jerky movement

3. (intr) to hurt with a sharp spasmodic pain

4. rare (tr) to nip

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noun

1. a sharp jerking movement

2. a mental or physical twinge

3. a sudden muscular spasm, esp one caused by a nervous condition Compare tic

4. a loop of cord used to control a horse by drawing it tight about its upper lip

Other Word Forms

• twitcher noun
• twitching adjective
• twitchingly adverb
• untwitched adjective
• untwitching adjective

Etymology

Origin of twitch

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English twicchen (verb); akin to Old English twiccian “to pluck”; cognate with German zwicken “to pinch”

Explanation

To twitch is to make a very sudden, brief, unintentional movement. Your eye muscles might start to twitch when you're extremely tired. Back in the 12th century, instead of using the word twitch, you would've used to-twic-chen, which was defined as "pulling apart with a quick jerk." It stemmed from the Old English twiccian, "to pluck, gather, or catch hold of." Today, we use twitch as a noun too, to mean the jerky spasm itself: "She tried not to laugh, but he could see a twitch in her lip."

Example Sentences

“Even the smallest twitch is causing wild swings in all corners of the market,” he added.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

Over time, their muscles developed more slow twitch fibers, which are linked to greater endurance.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

Yet he also cuts with the quick twitch movement of a small speedster—an uncommon combination that is now turning him into a nightmare to defend.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 2, 2025

The 32-year-old's abilities, grey matter as much as fast twitch, will age slowly and well.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2025

Actually, there wasn’t a kid in the Woodrow Wilson School who didn’t wiggle or twitch or tie knots in his hair or something.

From "The Best School Year Ever" by Barbara Robinson

Related Words

• blink
• flutter
• jerk
• jiggle
• shudder
• tremble