Word
Definition
n. a short, high sound that a bird makes. It can also describe a quick, happy sound made by a person or a machine.
n. a short, high-pitched sound, typically associated with birds or small animals. In a figurative sense, it may refer to a brief, cheerful utterance or a high-pitched electronic signal.
Examples
“The birds began to chirp as the sun rose.”
“The forest was filled with the constant chirp of crickets long after the sun had set.”
“The morning air was broken only by the occasional chirp of a sparrow and the rustling of leaves in the breeze.”
Examples
simple
“The birds began to chirp as the sun rose.”
contextual
“The forest was filled with the constant chirp of crickets long after the sun had set.”
complex
“The morning air was broken only by the occasional chirp of a sparrow and the rustling of leaves in the breeze.”
Real-World Examples
“But over the past decade or so, it’s become clear that many turtles, too , make various clicks and chirps from within the egg.” “Animals begin to behave as they would at dusk: Crickets chirp and bees go back to their hives.” Etymology
From Middle English *chirpen (attested only in the derivative Middle English chirpinge, cyrpynge, chyrypynge (“chirping”). Compare Middle English chirken and chirmen. More at chirk, chirm. Compare also Middle English chirten (“to smack, chirrup”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/chirp
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0