What does "jitter" mean?
A nervous action; a tic.
Jitter
/ˈd͡ʒɪtɚ/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A nervous action; a tic.
- Grammar: jitter is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: bobble, bobbles, bobolinks, clock jitter.
- Useful contrasts: align, calm, calmness.
- Usage evidence: Is it not concerning the way the markets jitter about these days?
How to use "jitter"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "jitter" 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 "jitter" 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 "jitter" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "jitter" 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 "jitter" is acting as noun, verb 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 "bobble" 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 "jitter", 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 A nervous action; a tic. countable, uncountable
- 2 A program or routine that performs jitting; a just-in-time compiler.
- 3 a small irregular movement wordnet
- 4 A state of nervousness. countable, in-plural, often, uncountable, with-definite-article
"That creepy movie gave me the jitters."
- 5 small rapid variations in a waveform resulting from fluctuations in the voltage supply or mechanical vibrations or other sources wordnet
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 An abrupt and unwanted variation of one or more signal characteristics. countable, uncountable
"Now you have mirror-clear TV without picture flopover, jitter, tear!"
- 7 A random positioning of data points to avoid visual overlap. countable, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To be nervous. intransitive
- 2 To position data points randomly to avoid visual overlap.
Antonyms
Example
"Is it not concerning the way the markets jitter about these days?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "jitter"?
Common synonyms include: bobble, bobbles, bobolinks, clock jitter, deviate, dither.
How do you use "jitter" in a sentence?
Is it not concerning the way the markets jitter about these days?
How do you pronounce "jitter"?
Pronounced /ˈd͡ʒɪtɚ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Possibly alteration of chitter (“to tremble, shiver”), from Middle English chittern (“to twitter, chatter”). Ultimately onomatopoeic; compare didder and teeter as well as German zittern.
Etymology 2
From jit + -er.