# flutter

/ˈfɫətɝ/ (US) · /flˈʌtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/flutter
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to flap wings or move lightly

verb · CEFR B2

to move wings or a light object quickly and irregularly.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. heart/pulse

verb · CEFR B2

to beat quickly or unevenly because you are excited or nervous.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. a nervous feeling

noun · CEFR B2

a quick feeling of excitement or worry.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. a small bet

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

a small bet on a race or a game.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Usually appears in the phrase 'have a flutter'.

### 5. mechanical/signal distortion

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a fast change in sound or light caused by a technical problem.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The colorful butterflies flutter from flower to flower in the garden.
- She felt her heart flutter with nervous excitement as she stepped onto the stage for her first solo performance.
- The curtains began to flutter in the gentle evening breeze, casting shifting shadows across the dimly lit study while the storm approached from the horizon.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.