Definition

1. Noun:

   • A series of short, high-pitched sounds: A rapid succession of light, chirping noises, especially those made by small birds.
   • A state of nervous excitement or agitation: A condition of being flustered, excited, or in a state of tremulous agitation.

2. Verb:

   • To make a series of light, high-pitched sounds: To utter a succession of short, tremulous notes, as a bird does.
   • To talk rapidly in a nervous, trivial, or excited way: To speak quickly and with slight tremulousness, often due to excitement or anxiety.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The morning air was filled with the cheerful twitter of sparrows.
  • She was in a twitter of anticipation before her job interview.

• Verb:

  • The birds twitter in the hedges at dawn.
  • The children twittered with excitement about the upcoming trip.

Advanced Usage

• "To be all of a twitter": To be in a state of nervous excitement or agitation.

  • The fans were all of a twitter when the celebrity arrived.

• "To twitter away": To chatter or speak continuously in a light, rapid manner.

  • They twittered away about the latest gossip for hours.

Variants and Related Words

• Twittery (adj): Characterized by or resembling twittering; tremulous.

  • Her voice was faint and twittery with emotion.

• Twittering (n/adj): The act or sound of twittering; making light chirping sounds.

  • The constant twittering from the nest was soothing.

Synonyms

• Chirp (v): To make a short, sharp, high-pitched sound (like a small bird).
• Chitter (v): To twitter or chatter, often used for birds or squirrels.
• Flutter (v/n): To move with quick, light, irregular motions; can describe a state of nervous excitement.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: As a verb of sound or state, "twitter" does not commonly form standard phrasal verbs. The combinations above ("twitter away") are idiomatic verbal uses.)

Related Idioms

• "In a twitter": In a state of nervous excitement or agitation.
  • The whole office was in a twitter over the surprise announcement.

Noun

1. a series of chirps

Verb

1. make high-pitched sounds, as of birds