twitter

¹

[ twit-er ]

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a succession of small, tremulous sounds, as a bird.
2. to talk lightly and rapidly, especially of trivial matters; chatter.
3. to titter; giggle.
4. to tremble with excitement or the like; be in a flutter.
5. Digital Technology. tweet ( def 4 ).

verb (used with object)

1. to express or utter by twittering.

noun

1. an act of twittering.
2. a twittering sound.
3. a state of tremulous excitement.

   Synonyms: fluster, tizzy, flutter

Twitter

²

Trademark.

1. a brand name for a social media service and website where registered users may post text that is limited to a certain number of characters, as well as links, photos, or videos.

twitter

¹

/ ˈtwɪtə /

verb

1. intr (esp of a bird) to utter a succession of chirping sounds
2. intr to talk or move rapidly and tremulously
3. intr to giggle

   her schoolmates twittered behind their desks

4. tr to utter in a chirping way

noun

1. a twittering sound, esp of a bird
2. the act of twittering
3. a state of nervous excitement (esp in the phrase in a twitter )

Twitter

²

/ ˈtwɪtə /

noun

1. a website where people can post short messages about their current activities

verb

1. intr; sometimes not capital to write a short message on the Twitter website

Derived Forms

• ˈtwitterer, noun
• ˈtwittery, adjective

Other Words From

• twitter·er noun
• twitter·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of twitter¹

1325–75; Middle English twiteren (v.); akin to German zwitschern

Word History and Origins

Origin of twitter¹

C14: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

This debate is largely happening in public, in op-eds and on Twitter.

From FiveThirtyEight

So I was frustrated to see the entire spectrum of less than positive responses to the movie reduced to “Twitter mob” outrage in news stories and condemned as a threat to creativity by Sia fans and columnists.

From Time

In a recently released trends report, Twitter highlights 6 big trends on the social media platform and how brands can act on them.

From Search Engine Land

Maxence posted the father-son team answer, along with an explanation, on Twitter around two hours after Chen made his original statement.

From Time

“Devin Booker is the most disrespected player in our league,” Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James wrote on Twitter in response to the announcements, which were made on TNT.

From Washington Post

Fry had previously confirmed the news to his army of followers on Twitter.

From The Daily Beast

The other Twitter topic you are well known for is the topic of Salon.

From The Daily Beast

Back in December, and just in time for Hanukkah, J.K. Rowling revealed via Twitter that there were Jewish wizards at Hogwarts.

From The Daily Beast

He prefers to express himself through Twitter and leave it at that.

From The Daily Beast

Radel has since had his record expunged and, even better, is back on Twitter.

From The Daily Beast

And then the arrival at that strange school; how hollow the laughter of the men, how shrill the chirp and twitter of the women!

From Project Gutenberg

Early in the morning, when dawn was scarcely breaking, the swallow began to twitter, and Fido to pull the blankets.

From Project Gutenberg

The only sound now came from a robin, hunting about the turf and now and then breaking out into an impatient twitter.

From Project Gutenberg

Whitethroats are in full song everywhere: they have a twitter sometimes like swallows.

From Project Gutenberg

But thy days the silence keep, Save for grosbeaks' feeble cheep, Or for snow-birds' busy twitter When thy breath is very bitter.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cheep
• chirp
• chirrup
• peep