flutter

1 of 2

verb

flut·​ter ˈflə-tər How to pronounce flutter (audio)
fluttered; fluttering; flutters

intransitive verb

1
: to flap the wings rapidly
butterflies fluttering among the flowers
2
a
: to move with quick wavering or flapping motions
a sail fluttering in the wind
b
: to vibrate in irregular spasms
his heart fluttered
3
: to move about or behave in an agitated aimless manner
She nervously fluttered around the office.

transitive verb

: to cause to flutter
The bird was fluttering its wings.
flutterer noun
fluttery adjective

flutter

2 of 2

noun

1
: an act of fluttering
2
a
: a state of nervous confusion or excitement
c
: abnormal spasmodic fluttering of a body part
treatment of atrial flutter
3
a
: a distortion in reproduced sound similar to but of a higher pitch than wow
b
: fluctuation in the brightness of a television image
4
: an unwanted oscillation (as of an aileron or a bridge) set up by natural forces
5
chiefly British : a small speculative venture or gamble

Examples of flutter in a Sentence

Verb The bird was fluttering its wings. The bird's wings were fluttering. We watched the butterflies fluttering in the garden. Leaves fluttered to the ground. The breeze made the curtains flutter. The breeze fluttered the curtains. She fluttered her eyelashes at him. She nervously fluttered around the office. Noun With a flutter of wings, the birds settled into the nest. The flutter of the flame cast shadows on the ceiling. He was in a flutter until he found his keys. The news of her resignation caused quite a flutter. have a flutter on a horse in the second race
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Williams finally took the snap with 5 seconds left and fluttered a deep pass that fell harmlessly incomplete as time expired. David K. Li, NBC News, 29 Nov. 2024 In the background is an iconic Geneva boat, the Epoque paddle steamer, and on the left upper corner are flags of Switzerland and the City of Geneva fluttering in the wind. Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
Noun
In early December, federal wildlife officials will decide whether the monarch butterfly, which pollinates plants and flutters through backyards in nearly every U.S. state, is deserving of federal protections. Nathan Rott, NPR, 19 Nov. 2024 The adorably powerful vibe’s tongue piece swirls and flutters on your clit for intense waves of pleasure that work every time. Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for flutter 

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English floteren to float, flutter, from Old English floterian, frequentative of flotian to float; akin to Old English flēotan to float — more at fleet

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flutter was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near flutter

Cite this Entry

“Flutter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flutter. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

flutter

1 of 2 verb
flut·​ter ˈflət-ər How to pronounce flutter (audio)
1
: to move or cause the wings to move rapidly without flying or in short flights
butterflies flutter
2
: to move with quick wavering or flapping motions
flags fluttered in the breeze
3
: to move about or behave in an excited aimless manner
fluttery adjective

flutter

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act of fluttering
2
3
: an unsteadiness of pitch in reproduced sound

Medical Definition

flutter

noun
flut·​ter ˈflət-ər How to pronounce flutter (audio)
: an abnormal rapid spasmodic and usually rhythmic motion or contraction of a body part
diaphragmatic flutter
affected with ventricular flutter
flutter intransitive verb

More from Merriam-Webster on flutter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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