Word
flutter
Phoneticsflut·ter, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɫətɝ/
UK/flˈʌtɐ/
Definitions
01to flap wings or move lightly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to move wings or a light object quickly and irregularly.
v. to flap or wave with a light, rapid, and irregular motion; typically intransitive when describing natural movement.
“The butterfly's wings began to flutter as it prepared to fly away.”
“A few dry leaves fluttered to the ground as the autumn breeze picked up speed across the garden.”
02heart/pulse
B2 · Upper Intermediate Medicine
v. to beat quickly or unevenly because you are excited or nervous.
v. to beat with an irregular or rapid rhythm, often due to physiological arousal or medical conditions like arrhythmia.
“Her heart started to flutter when she saw her name on the list.”
“The patient reported that his heart would occasionally flutter during periods of intense physical exertion or stress.”
Synonyms
03a nervous feeling
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a quick feeling of excitement or worry.
n. a state of nervous excitement, agitation, or confusion.
“I felt a flutter of nerves just before I walked onto the stage.”
“There was a flutter of activity in the office as the staff prepared for the unexpected arrival of the CEO.”
Antonyms
04a small bet
C1 · Advanced Countable noun British English · Informal
n. a small bet on a race or a game.
n. a small speculative wager, typically on a horse race or sporting event.
“He enjoys having a little flutter on the Grand National every year.”
“Despite not being a regular gambler, she decided to have a flutter on the outsider just for the sake of the tradition.”
05mechanical/signal distortion
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Computing Technical
n. a fast change in sound or light caused by a technical problem.
n. rapid variations in pitch or brightness caused by mechanical or electronic instability in recording or playback equipment.
“The old cassette tape had a lot of flutter that ruined the music.”
“Engineers worked to minimise the flutter in the high-speed drive to ensure the data remained uncorrupted during the transfer process.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage
The verb can be used both transitively and intransitively.
Real-World Examples
“The trickiest bits are the drum rolls, where you have to relax your wrists and let the sticks gently flutter up and down.” “Soon enough, the instant he saw my fingers begin to flutter, his face would change, and he’d kick and squeal with excitement.” Etymology
From Middle English floteren, from Old English floterian, flotorian (“to float about, flutter”), from Proto-Germanic flutrōną, frequentative of Proto-Germanic flutōną (“to float”), equivalent to float + -er (frequentative suffix). Cognate with West Frisian flodderje (“to flutter, beat”), Dutch flodderen (“to flutter, wave”), Low German fluttern, fluddern (“to flutter”), German flittern (“to sparkle, glitter”). More at float.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
Domain
- 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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