Flutter

ˈflʌtər

verbBeginner📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To move with quick, light, irregular motions.

ˈflʌtər

verbneutralBeginner
General

To move or vibrate quickly and irregularly.

The flag fluttered in the breeze.

💡 Simply: Imagine a butterfly's wings - they don't flap smoothly, they 'flutter'! It's a quick, light movement, like when your heart feels excited and beats a little faster.

👶 For kids: To move your wings or something else quickly and a little bit shaky, like a butterfly!

More Examples

2

Her eyelashes fluttered as she woke up.

3

The bird fluttered its wings before taking flight.

How It's Used

Nature

"The butterfly fluttered its wings."

Emotion

"Her heart fluttered with excitement."

2

A series of quick, irregular movements.

ˈflʌtər

nounneutralBeginner
General

A series of rapid, irregular movements.

There was a sudden flutter of wings in the trees.

💡 Simply: Sometimes, your heart might do a 'flutter', meaning it's beating a little too quickly or irregularly. It's a series of quick little movements or vibrations.

👶 For kids: When something moves a little bit fast and wobbly, like when a flag moves in the wind. It's called a flutter!

More Examples

2

The doctor noticed a slight flutter in her pulse.

3

A flutter of leaves fell from the tree.

How It's Used

Medical

"The doctor detected a slight flutter in her heart."

Description

"A flutter of excitement ran through the crowd."

Tip:Think of the 'flutter' in a heartbeat or a flag's motion in the wind.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

flutter your eyelashes

To blink your eyes quickly, often as a flirtatious gesture.

"She fluttered her eyelashes at him, hoping he'd notice her."

From Middle English floterien, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German flotarōn 'to float'.

The word 'flutter' has been used since the late 14th century to describe rapid, light movement, often in reference to birds or flags.

Memory tip

Imagine a butterfly's wings: quick, light, and unpredictable.

Word Origin

LanguageProto-Germanic
Original meaning

"to move rapidly; to vibrate"

flutter of wingsflutter in the breezeheart fluttereyelashes flutter

Common misspellings

fluterflutur

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written