# twitch

/ˈtwɪtʃ/ (US) · /twˈɪtʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/twitch
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to make a small movement

verb · CEFR B2

to make a very small, sudden movement that you often cannot control.

For teachers: to move with a sudden, slight, often involuntary contraction of the muscles.

- His eyelid began to twitch because he was very tired and stressed.
- The dog lay sleeping on the rug, its paws beginning to twitch as if it were chasing something in a dream.

Usage: Often used intransitively to describe body parts like eyes, lips, or limbs.

### 3. a sudden muscle movement

noun · CEFR B2

a short, sudden movement of a muscle.

For teachers: a brief, sudden, and often involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscle group.

- A nervous twitch in his cheek showed that he was actually quite angry.
- The patient complained of a persistent twitch in her left calf, which the doctor attributed to a minor electrolyte imbalance.

### 4. birdwatching trip

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · British English

a trip taken specifically to see a rare bird that has been spotted somewhere.

For teachers: the act of traveling a long distance to see a rare bird that has been sighted by others.

- He went on a long twitch to the coast to see the rare eagle.
- The news of the rare warbler's arrival sparked a massive twitch, with hundreds of enthusiasts descending on the small nature reserve.

Teaching tip: This is a very specific term used by birdwatchers (twitchers) in the UK; general learners may never encounter it outside of hobbyist contexts.

### 5. horse restraint

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a tool used to keep a horse still by tightening a loop around its lip.

For teachers: a device consisting of a loop of cord or chain at the end of a stick, used to restrain a horse by applying pressure to the upper lip.

- The vet used a twitch to keep the horse calm while cleaning the wound.
- Applying the twitch causes the release of endorphins in the horse, which helps keep the animal stationary during minor medical procedures.

## Examples

- He has a nervous twitch in his left eye.
- The athlete noticed a slight twitch in her calf muscle after the long training session.
- The patient's involuntary facial twitch became more pronounced whenever he was asked to recall the specific details of the accident.

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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.