twitter

plural twitters

1. countableuncountableThe sound of a succession of chirps as uttered by birds.

   I often listen to the twitter of the birds in the park.

2. uncountablebusinessUnwanted flicker that occurs in interlaced displays when the image contains vertical detail that approaches the horizontal resolution of the video format.

   Interline twitter occurs on interlaced displays at half the field-rate.

   1986, Second International Conference on Simulators: 7-11 September 1986, IEEE, page 145

3. countableA tremulous broken sound.
4. countableA slight trembling of the nerves.
5. UKcountableinformalregionalChiefly in the form in a twitter: a state of excitement or nervousness; a twit.

present singular third person twitters · participle present twittering · participle past twittered · past twittered

1. intransitiveTo utter a succession of chirps.

   The breezy call of incense-breathing Morn, / The swallow twittering from the straw-built shed,

   1750 June 12 (date written; published 1751), T[homas] Gray, “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”, in Designs by Mr. R[ichard] Bentley, for Six Poems by Mr. T. Gray, London: […] R[obert] Dodsley, […], published 1753, →OCLC

   1 more example

   The swallows, which had been tempted here in great numbers on account of the quantity of insects to be found in proximity to the wood, and had established themselves in the barn and under the eaves, were gambolling, circling, and twittering fearlessly about in the sunshine.

   1881, P. Chr. Asbjörnsen [i.e., Peter Christen Asbjørnsen], translated by H. L. Brækstad, Round the Yule Log. Norwegian Folk and Fairy Tales, London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, →OCLC, page 278

2. intransitivetransitive(of a person) To talk in an excited or nervous manner.
3. To make the sound of a half-suppressed laugh; to titter; to giggle.

   Oh, the young handsom wenches, how they twitter'd, / When they but saw me shake my ware, and sing too!

   c. 1616–1619 (first performance), John Fletcher, “The Loyal Subiect”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1647, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals)

   1 more example

   Ball held sow's ear, And both in rear, Ran against old Dame and hit her That she did fall, Over sow and Ball, How Jack and Jill did twitter.

   1810, Jack and Jill, and old Dame Gill, York: J. Kendrew, page 15

4. To have a slight trembling of the nerves; to be excited or agitated.
5. obsoletetransitiveTo twit; to reproach or upbraid.

   I have repented of it many’s the good time and oft. And if he was so good to forgive me a word spoken in haste or so, it doth not become such a one as you to twitter me. He was a husband to me, he was; and if ever I did make use of an ill word or so in a passion, I never called him rascal […]

   1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC

6. alternativeAlternative form of Twitter.

   In addition to listing specific earmarks he finds the most reprehensible, McCain said he has been twittering the “top ten” most egregious

   2009 March 2, Michelle Levi, “McCain Criticizes Obama On The Senate Floor”, in CBS News, retrieved 02 Mar 2009

   Synonyms: tweet

plural twitters

1. Northern EnglandScotlandarchaicbusinessA knot or other defect in a thread or yarn which hinders spinning or weaving; a twit.

alternative twitter

1. trademarkAn online social networking and microblogging service; officially known as X since 2023.

   There were, of course, many Twitters existing in parallel: Politics Twitter, Sports Twitter, Black Twitter, Weird Twitter. But Twitter and TV went together like extreme weather and marine predators.

   2023 July 10, James Poniewozik, “The Twitter Watch Party Is Over”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 10 Jul 2023

   Synonyms: bird app, birdsite

plural Twitters · alternative twitter

1. InternetinformalA user account on Twitter.

   I've lost the password to my Twitter.

   1 more example

   I deleted Twitter last night. I just can't keep up anymore.

2. InternetinformalA feed on Twitter.
3. Internetin compoundsinformalusuallyA community on Twitter.

   There were, of course, many Twitters existing in parallel: Politics Twitter, Sports Twitter, Black Twitter, Weird Twitter. But Twitter and TV went together like extreme weather and marine predators.

   2023 July 10, James Poniewozik, “The Twitter Watch Party Is Over”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 10 Jul 2023

   Synonyms: -twt

present singular third person Twitters · participle present Twittering · participle past Twittered · past Twittered · alternative twitter

1. InternetambitransitiveproscribedsometimesTo tweet; to post an update to Twitter.

   Stars can’t stop Twittering at Oscars, parties

   2009 February 23, MSNBC, “Stars can’t stop Twittering at Oscars, parties”, in Access Hollywood, archived from the original on 26 Feb 2009, retrieved 02 Mar 2009

   1 more example

   Eight top-notch tips for the Twittering attorney

   2009 March 2, Justin Rebello, “Eight top-notch tips for the Twittering attorney"”, in Wisconsin Law Journal, archived from the original on 17 Oct 2025, retrieved 02 Mar 2009

   Synonyms: tweet