jittery

/ˈdʒɪtəri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdʒɪtəri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈji-tə-rē/ (ame, mw)

jittery — adjective

  • jitterypositive
  • more jitterycomparative
  • most jitterysuperlative

1. feeling so nervous or uneasy that you cannot settle yourself, especially before

1.形容詞B2
釋義

feeling so nervous or uneasy that you cannot settle yourself, especially before something stressful or after a sudden scare.

例句

Bao felt jittery before the driving test and checked the mirrors twice.

jittery before + stressful event

Eshe grew jittery when the school nurse called her out of class.

同義詞
  • nervous

    the most general everyday word for worry before an event

  • anxious

    can sound more serious or longer-lasting than 'jittery'

  • edgy

    adds a sense of irritability as well as tension

  • restless

    focuses on being unable to stay still rather than on fear

反義詞
  • calm

    free from nervous movement or worry

  • composed

    showing control even in a stressful moment

  • relaxed

    comfortable and not tense

文法句型

feel/look/sound + jittery

jittery before/about + noun phrase

用法筆記

Usually describes a temporary state caused by stress, caffeine, or a sudden fright. For a person who worries as a general habit, words like 'anxious' or 'nervous' are often better.

常見錯誤

❌My sister is jittery, so she worries about everything.
✅My sister is anxious, so she worries about everything.
💡'jittery' usually describes a temporary nervous state, not someone's usual character.

2. moving in small quick shakes, or showing that kind of shaky movement, instead of

2.形容詞B2
釋義

moving in small quick shakes, or showing that kind of shaky movement, instead of staying smooth or steady.

例句

Christopher's hands turned jittery after he skipped lunch and drank two coffees.

jittery hands from caffeine or weakness

Adina held the old camera still, but the picture stayed jittery.

同義詞
  • shaky

    the broad everyday word for not moving steadily

  • trembling

    stronger and more clearly about a body shaking

  • jerky

    focuses on sudden uneven movement, especially in video or machines

  • unsteady

    broader and less vivid than 'jittery'

反義詞
  • steady

    firm and not shaking

  • smooth

    moving evenly without jumps

  • stable

    not likely to shake or shift

文法句型

jittery + hands/voice/video/movement

become/turn + jittery

用法筆記

Often modifies hands, voices, pictures, or movements that shake in a quick uneven way. It can result from nerves, weakness, caffeine, or a device that is not recording smoothly.

常見錯誤

❌The old table feels jittery.
✅The old table feels wobbly.
💡'jittery' usually describes quick shaky movement from nerves, weakness, or a poor signal, not furniture that stands unevenly.