What does "flutter" mean?
The act of fluttering; quick and irregular motion.
Flutter
/ˈflʌtə/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of fluttering; quick and irregular motion.
- Grammar: flutter is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: flap, addle, addle the wits, ado.
- Useful contrasts: calm, composure, decide.
- Usage evidence: He makes young girls' hearts flutter.
How to use "flutter"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "flutter" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "flutter" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "flutter" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "flutter" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "flutter" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "flap" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "flutter", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of fluttering; quick and irregular motion. countable, uncountable
"the flutter of a fan"
- 2 the act of moving back and forth wordnet
- 3 A state of agitation. countable, uncountable
"flutter of spirits"
- 4 the motion made by flapping up and down wordnet
- 5 An abnormal rapid pulsation of the heart. countable, uncountable
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 a disorderly outburst or tumult wordnet
- 7 An extremely dangerous divergent oscillation caused by a positive feedback loop between the elastic deformation of an object and the aerodynamic forces acting on it, potentially resulting in rapid structural failure. uncountable
"The possibility was studied that there might be some unknown phenomenon at work that could cause a reduction in structural stiffness with age. Such a reduction in stiffness could result in a reduced flutter speed and lead to flutter. In 2004, Airbus conducted GVT in support of its MRTT program. The testing was conducted on an aged A310 aircraft (MSN 523) that had accumulated over 28 000 flight hours. This test aircraft had the same design of VTP and rudder as the occurrence aircraft. GVT results found that fin bending and rudder rotation frequencies of the MRTT test aircraft were consistent with those obtained during the original A310-300 certification. No indication was found to suggest that stiffness had reduced with age."
- 8 abnormally rapid beating of the auricles of the heart (especially in a regular rhythm); can result in heart block wordnet
- 9 A small bet or risky investment. British, countable, uncountable
""Oh, by the way, I heard of a rather good thing today, New Kleinfonteins; it's a gold mine in Rhodesia. If you'd like to have a flutter you might make a bit.""
- 10 A hasty game of cards or similar. countable, uncountable
- 11 The rapid variation of signal parameters, such as amplitude, phase, and frequency. countable, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To flap or wave quickly but irregularly. intransitive
"flags fluttering in the wind"
- 2 wink briefly wordnet
- 3 Of a winged animal: to flap the wings without flying; to fly with a light flapping of the wings. intransitive
"Banks of gorgeous flowers were on every hand, and birds with rare and brilliant plumage sang and fluttered in the trees and bushes."
- 4 move back and forth very rapidly wordnet
- 5 To undergo divergent oscillations (potentially to the point of causing structural failure) due to a positive feedback loop between elastic deformation and aerodynamic forces. intransitive
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 beat rapidly wordnet
- 7 To cause something to flap. transitive
"A bird flutters its wings."
- 8 move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart wordnet
- 9 To drive into disorder; to throw into confusion. transitive
"If you haue vvrit your Annales true, 'tis there, / That like an Eagle in a Doue-cote, I / Flatter'd^([sic – meaning Flutter'd]) your Volcians in Corioles."
- 10 flap the wings rapidly or fly with flapping movements wordnet
- 11 To be in a state of agitation or uncertainty. intransitive
"It was fluttering with nervousness like a human heart. He was all in a sweat with fear, and—do you know, I don't believe the rascal is a Robot at all any longer."
- 12 To be frivolous. intransitive, obsolete
- 13 To subject to a lie detector test. slang
"This was the first time that Nosenko had been subjected to a lie detector — or what the CIA called fluttering. The Soviet Union did not use such devices for interrogation."
Example
"He makes young girls' hearts flutter."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "flutter"?
Common synonyms include: flap, addle, addle the wits, ado, aflicker, agiotage.
How do you use "flutter" in a sentence?
He makes young girls' hearts flutter.
How do you pronounce "flutter"?
Pronounced /ˈflʌtə/.
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.