fluttered
fluttered — verb
- flutteredpresent simple I / you / we / they
- fluttereds3rd person singular
- fluttereding-ing form
- flutterededpast simple
1. to make small, light, rapid movements in different directions, or to cause an ob
to make small, light, rapid movements in different directions, or to cause an object to move in this way — for instance, a small bird rapidly beating its wings, a piece of paper blown by the wind, or a flag shaking in a gentle breeze.
A yellow butterfly fluttered past Bao as he sat reading in the garden.
flutter + adverb of direction (past)
The old photos on the notice board fluttered every time someone opened the door.
Wren fluttered the pages of the book with one hand while sipping tea with the other.
Small white flags fluttered from every tent at the festival site.
- hover
staying still in the air, not moving rapidly side to side
文法句型
flutter + (adverb/preposition)
flutter + noun phrase + (adverb/preposition)
用法筆記
Frequently used with an adverb or prepositional phrase showing direction (past, down, about, in the wind). The transitive form (flutter something) is less common than the intransitive.
常見錯誤
2. to beat or move in an uneven, quick way inside your chest or stomach because you
to beat or move in an uneven, quick way inside your chest or stomach because you feel excited, nervous, or afraid — a physical reaction to strong emotion rather than an illness.
Tanvi's heart fluttered when she saw her name on the list of winners.
someone's heart flutters (excitement)
Nikhil felt his stomach flutter as the plane began its descent through thick clouds.
someone's stomach flutters (nervousness)
Every time Jabari heard the old love song on the radio, his chest fluttered with a familiar warmth.
Sofie's stomach fluttered nervously right before she walked onto the stage.
- beat fast
more general, less delicate; can describe any rapid heartbeat
- skip a beat
idiomatic, suggests a pause then a jump, often for romantic surprise
- steady
calm and regular, opposite of uneven movement
文法句型
someone's heart flutters
someone's stomach flutters
用法筆記
Always intransitive. The subject is almost always heart or stomach (sometimes chest). Distinguish from noun/4 (medical): this sense is temporary and triggered by emotion, not an ongoing arrhythmia.
常見錯誤
fluttered — noun
1. a single quick, light movement up and down or from side to side, often produced
a single quick, light movement up and down or from side to side, often produced by something thin or flexible like wings, paper, or fabric.
With a flutter of its wings, the hummingbird disappeared into the bushes.
a flutter of [body part] — common pattern
Cyrus noticed a flutter of the curtain and realised the window was open.
Each flutter of the sail pushed the little boat a bit further across the lake.
Asher felt a flutter against his cheek and brushed away a small moth.
文法句型
a flutter of + noun
2. a brief condition of nervous excitement, worry, or busy activity, especially one
a brief condition of nervous excitement, worry, or busy activity, especially one that is noticeable to others around you.
Minh was in a flutter all morning before the job interview.
in a flutter — fixed phrase
The news of a famous singer arriving in town caused a flutter of excitement among the students.
a flutter of [emotion] — pattern for brief shared feeling
Grandma got into a flutter whenever the grandchildren visited and there was not enough food in the house.
The announcement of the surprise test sent a flutter of panic through the classroom.
- calm
a state of peace and stillness
文法句型
in a flutter
cause a flutter
a flutter of + emotion noun
用法筆記
Common in the fixed phrase 'in a flutter' (nervously agitated). 'Cause/create a flutter' means to briefly attract attention or stir up mild excitement in a group.
常見錯誤
3. a small amount of money risked on the outcome of a race or game, usually for fun
a small amount of money risked on the outcome of a race or game, usually for fun rather than as a serious attempt to win large sums.
Asher had a little flutter on the horses every Saturday afternoon with his friends.
have a flutter on — fixed expression
It was just a flutter of five pounds, so Sofie did not feel too bad when her horse came last.
Nicholas had a little flutter on the Grand National just for the thrill of watching the race.
Cyrus put a ten-pound flutter on a grey horse called Storm Chaser.
文法句型
have a flutter on + race/animal
用法筆記
British English only, informal. Usually appears in the phrase 'have a flutter on [something]'. The bet is small and done for entertainment, not as a serious gambling strategy.
常見錯誤
4. a medical condition in which a part of the body, most often one of the upper cha
a medical condition in which a part of the body, most often one of the upper chambers of the heart, contracts very fast and in a regular but abnormal rhythm.
The doctor diagnosed atrial flutter after studying Jisoo's electrocardiogram results.
medical term: atrial flutter
Patients with atrial flutter often describe a feeling of rapid pounding in the chest.
Ignacio's atrial flutter was treated successfully with a procedure called catheter ablation.
The cardiologist explained that atrial flutter can be managed with medication.
- arrhythmia
broader term for any irregular heartbeat; flutter is one type
- palpitation
awareness of heartbeat; can be non-medical or medical
- normal sinus rhythm
the healthy regular rhythm of the heart
文法句型
atrial flutter
ventricular flutter
用法筆記
Medical/clinical term. Typically modified by the specific body part (atrial flutter, ventricular flutter). Do not confuse with verb/2 (emotional flutter) — the medical condition is a diagnosed arrhythmia, not a temporary feeling.