|twit-ter|
🇺🇸
/ˈtwɪtər/
🇬🇧
/ˈtwɪtə/
light, high-pitched sounds
Etymology
'twitter' originates from English, specifically the Middle English word 'twiteren', where the imitative root 'twit-' suggested a short, high-pitched sound.
'twitter' changed from the Middle English word 'twiteren' (an imitative verb for bird sounds) and eventually became the modern English word 'twitter'; in the 20th–21st centuries it was also adopted as the name of the social media service.
Initially, it meant 'to make short, high-pitched sounds' (like birds); over time it broadened to mean 'light or excited chatter' and more recently gave its name to a social media platform and its brief posts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a series of light, high-pitched chirping sounds (often of small birds).
The twitter of sparrows filled the garden at dawn.
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Noun 2
light, excited, or nervous chatter; a flutter of talk.
There was a twitter among the guests when the celebrity arrived.
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Noun 3
the social media platform Twitter (proper noun) or posts made there (informal use).
He shared the news on twitter.
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Verb 1
to make short, high-pitched sounds like birds; to chirp.
Early in the morning the sparrows twitter outside my window.
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Verb 2
to talk in a light, excited, or trivial way; to chatter.
She twittered about her weekend plans for hours.
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Verb 3
informal: to post or send a message on the social media platform Twitter.
Many journalists twitter during live events to share updates.
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Last updated: 2025/12/31 04:59