flutter

/ˈflʌdər/

/ˈflʌtə/

Other forms: fluttering; fluttered; flutters

Flutter means to move back and forth rapidly. Flags flutter in the wind. Leaves flutter to the ground. Flutter also exists as a noun—you might feel a flutter in your heart when you're excited.

To remember flutter, think of the children's rhyme, "See the butterfly flutter by." Flutter is often paired with "flit," to describe the way that birds and insects fly––they flit and flutter. It can also be used to describe indecision—someone who can't make up their mind might flutter between two choices.

Definitions of flutter

1. verb

   flap the wings rapidly or fly with flapping movements
   “The seagulls fluttered overhead”

   type of:

   beat, flap

   move with a thrashing motion
2. verb

   move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
   synonyms: dart, fleet, flit

   types:

   butterfly

   flutter like a butterfly

   type of:

   hurry, speed, travel rapidly, zip

   move very fast
3. verb

   move back and forth very rapidly
   synonyms: flicker, flitter, quiver, waver

   type of:

   move back and forth

   move in one direction and then into the opposite direction
4. verb

   beat rapidly
   synonyms: palpitate

   palpitate

   cause to throb or beat rapidly

   type of:

   beat, pound, thump

   move rhythmically
5. verb

   wink briefly
   synonyms: bat

   type of:

   blink, nictate, nictitate, wink

   briefly shut the eyes
6. noun

   the motion made by flapping up and down
   synonyms: flap, flapping, fluttering

   type of:

   undulation, wave

   (physics) a movement up and down or back and forth
7. noun

   the act of moving back and forth
   synonyms: flicker, waver

   type of:

   motility, motion, move, movement

   a change of position that does not entail a change of location
8. noun

   abnormally rapid beating of the auricles of the heart (especially in a regular rhythm); can result in heart block
   type of:

   arrhythmia, cardiac arrhythmia

   an abnormal rate of muscle contractions in the heart
9. noun

   a disorderly outburst or tumult
   synonyms: commotion, disruption, disturbance, hoo-ha, hoo-hah, hurly burly, kerfuffle, to-do

   types:

   convulsion, turmoil, upheaval

   a violent disturbance

   earthquake

   a disturbance that is extremely disruptive

   incident

   a public disturbance

   splash, stir

   a prominent or sensational but short-lived news event

   maelstrom, storm, tempest

   a violent commotion or disturbance

   storm center, storm centre

   a center of trouble or disturbance

   garboil, tumult, tumultuousness, uproar, zoo

   a state of commotion and noise and confusion

   combustion

   a state of violent disturbance and excitement

   type of:

   disorder

   a disturbance of the peace or of public order