flutter
20 synonyms and 5 antonyms for flutter, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To flap or move quickly and irregularly.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To flap or move quickly and irregularly.
“The curtains fluttered in the breeze.”
fleet
bat
disruption
disturbance
flap
dart
commotion
flit
waver
quiver
flicker
flapping
fluttering
to-do
hoo-ha
hoo-hah
flitter
kerfuffle
palpitate
hurly burly
Opposites
2. noun
A rapid, irregular fluttering movement or feeling.
“She felt a flutter of nerves before walking on stage.”
How to use flutter
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
flutter of wings
heart flutters
flutter of nerves
Etymology
From Old English floterian, "to float about, flutter," related to the word "float."
Full origin of flutter →Frequently asked questions
What does “flutter” mean?
The word “flutter” means to flap or move quickly and irregularly. In plain terms, a quick, light, irregular movement — like wings, eyelashes, or a nervous heartbeat.
How do you pronounce “flutter”?
“Flutter” is pronounced FLUH-tuh (/ˈflʌtɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “flutter” in a sentence?
Here is “flutter” used in a sentence: “The curtains fluttered in the breeze.”
What part of speech is “flutter”?
Depending on how it is used, “flutter” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “flutter” come from?
The word “flutter” comes from Old English. From Old English floterian, "to float about, flutter," related to the word "float.".
How many meanings does “flutter” have?
“Flutter” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to flap or move quickly and irregularly.
