twittering
/ˈtwɪt.ər.ɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtwɪt̬.ɚ.ɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtwi-tər How to pronounce twitter (audio)/ (ame, mw)
twittering — adjective
- twitteringpositive
- more twitteringcomparative
- most twitteringsuperlative
1. describing birds, voices, or instruments that keep giving out many quick, thin n
describing birds, voices, or instruments that keep giving out many quick, thin notes in a row.
Twittering sparrows woke Felix before sunrise outside the hostel window.
twittering + birds for repeated light sounds
A twittering flute line floated above the slow drum beat.
twittering + instrument sound
From the bamboo cage came a twittering chorus that filled the kitchen.
The street musician's twittering pipe made children stop and listen.
文法句型
twittering + birds
twittering + voice
twittering + flute/pipe
用法筆記
Usually modifies something that makes repeated light notes rather than one long tone. It is more often used about birds or birdlike music than about ordinary speech.
2. speaking fast in a nervous, excited way about things that matter very little.
speaking fast in a nervous, excited way about things that matter very little.
At the school gate, Élise gave a twittering report on every rumor.
twittering + report for rapid nervous talk
The host's twittering voice filled the room before the guests sat down.
twittering + voice
A twittering stream of excuses poured from Benjamin after the broken vase.
The aunt's twittering comments made the quiet train ride feel tense.
- chattering
neutral and more common for fast repeated talk
- babbling
suggests less control or less sense
- prattling
more strongly suggests trivial talk
文法句型
twittering + voice
twittering + report/comments
a twittering + stream of excuses
用法筆記
Often implies both speed and a slightly silly lack of importance. Distinguish from adjective/1, which is about actual sound quality rather than human chatter.
3. posting messages on the social platform once called Twitter, or connected with p
posting messages on the social platform once called Twitter, or connected with people doing that.
Twittering fans shared photos of the concert before dawn in Manila.
twittering + fans on social media
A twittering crowd pushed the film clip across the app within hours.
twittering + crowd spreading posts quickly
The campaign team tracked twittering accounts during the live debate.
Her twittering followers expected updates from the storm-hit coast.
- posting
the plain modern term without reference to one platform
- live-posting
stresses frequent updates during an event
- offline
not active on the platform
文法句型
twittering + fans/accounts/followers
twittering + crowd
twittering + users
用法筆記
This sense belongs to the older name Twitter and can still appear in reporting or archived material about the platform now called X.
twittering — noun
- twitteringsingular
- twitteringsplural
1. a run of light bird notes heard one after another.
a run of light bird notes heard one after another.
We heard a soft twittering in the trees before the rain began.
hear + twittering from birds
The baby's face turned toward the twittering outside the clinic window.
At first light, twittering from the roof mixed with the call to prayer.
The sudden twittering near the pond told Arjun that the ducks were back.
- silence
the absence of bird sound
文法句型
hear + twittering
twittering + from + place
a soft/sudden + twittering
用法筆記
Usually refers to a cluster of small bird sounds rather than one single cry. It often appears in scene-setting descriptions of mornings or gardens.
2. quick nervous chatter about unimportant matters, or a remark made in that style.
quick nervous chatter about unimportant matters, or a remark made in that style.
During the delay, Lucía's twittering about seat numbers annoyed the whole row.
twittering about + trivial topic
A twittering from the back office made Haruto look up from the accounts.
a twittering from + place
The bride ignored the twittering over table cards and kept smiling.
Once the manager left, twittering about bonuses spread through the shop.
文法句型
twittering + about + topic
a twittering + from + place
ignore + the twittering
用法筆記
This sense often sounds mildly critical, suggesting talk that is both quick and unimportant. Distinguish from noun/1, which refers to actual bird sounds.
3. the act of posting on the social platform once called Twitter, or a post placed
the act of posting on the social platform once called Twitter, or a post placed there.
Late-night twittering about the match kept the tag trending until breakfast.
twittering about + event online
Her nonstop twittering during the flight delay drew quick replies from passengers.
nonstop twittering during live event
Some careless twittering from the sports desk forced the paper to apologize.
Campaign staff paused their twittering once the court announced its ruling.
- posting
the neutral modern word for sharing messages online
- tweeting
closer platform-specific term in present-day use
- live posting
stresses repeated updates during an event
- silence
choosing not to post anything
文法句型
twittering + about + event
pause/stop + twittering
twittering + from + account/team
用法筆記
This sense reflects the older platform name Twitter and is most natural in discussion of that specific service or older posts on it.
twittering — verb
- twitteringpresent simple I / you / we / they
- twitterings3rd person singular
- twitteringing-ing form
- twitteringedpast simple
1. to let out many quick, thin notes like a bird.
to let out many quick, thin notes like a bird.
Small birds were twittering in the fig tree above Quan's bicycle.
be twittering in + place
A bright toy whistle kept twittering each time the toddler squeezed it.
keep twittering with repeated action
Crickets were twittering outside the shed until the lamps went out.
The old kettle began twittering when the water reached a boil.
- fall silent
stop making any sound
文法句型
be twittering + in/on/from + place
begin/start + twittering
keep + twittering
用法筆記
Usually describes a continuing run of light high notes rather than one short sound. It can also extend to small objects that make a birdlike noise.
2. to speak rapidly in a lively chattering way.
to speak rapidly in a lively chattering way.
After the quiz, the children were twittering about every hard question.
be twittering about + topic
Sade kept twittering through the safety talk, and nobody could focus.
keep twittering through + event
In the taxi line, two tourists stood twittering over their shopping bags.
The cousins were twittering so fast that Grandpa missed the main point.
- speak calmly
talk in a slower more controlled way
- keep quiet
say nothing instead of chattering
文法句型
be twittering + about + topic
keep + twittering
twittering through + event
用法筆記
This sense often suggests excited, nonstop talk rather than a calm exchange. It may sound mildly disapproving when the speaker sees the talk as distracting or trivial.
3. to give a small foolish laugh.
to give a small foolish laugh.
At the back of the class, two boys were twittering over the cartoon.
be twittering over + funny thing
Ayesha sat twittering behind her hand after the actor missed his line.
twittering behind her hand
The guests kept twittering when the puppy stole a dinner roll.
Christopher was twittering at his own joke before anyone else reacted.
- sob
cry rather than laugh
- stay serious
show no light laughter
文法句型
be twittering + over + something
keep + twittering
twittering behind + body part/object
用法筆記
This sense is closer to a light silly giggle than to open loud laughter. It is often used when the laugh sounds childish, secretive, or slightly foolish.
4. to shake lightly and repeatedly, especially because of nerves or strong feeling.
to shake lightly and repeatedly, especially because of nerves or strong feeling.
Lucía's fingers kept twittering around the torn ticket after the crash.
body part + kept twittering
The candle flame was twittering in the draft from the half-open door.
be twittering in + draft
Eitan's lower lip started twittering when the nurse showed the needle.
Leaves were twittering on the branch as the storm moved inland.
文法句型
be twittering + with/in + emotion or draft
start + twittering
keep + twittering
用法筆記
This sense is used for small repeated shaking, often in a body part or something light enough to flutter. Distinguish from verb/1, which is about making sound instead of moving.