noun
A2
Elementary
chirp
churp
Chirp (noun) means a short, high-pitched sound made by a bird or insect. Example: “The chirp of crickets filled the summer night.”
noun
1
A short, high-pitched sound made by a bird or insect.
"The chirp of crickets filled the summer night."
verb
1
To make such a short, high-pitched sound.
"Sparrows chirped noisily outside the window at dawn."
2
Slang: to trash-talk or tease someone, often in sports.
"The players kept chirping at each other after the foul."
How to use chirp
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe short high sound birds and insects make, or (slang) trash talk.
Common pairings
crickets chirp
birds chirping
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Word forms
- Plural
- chirps
- Third person singular
- chirps
- Past tense
- chirped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of crickets filled the summer night.
Etymology
From an unattested Middle English verb *chirpen, related to other words for bird sounds like "chirk" and "chirm".
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “chirp” mean?
The word “chirp” means a short, high-pitched sound made by a bird or insect. In plain terms, the short high sound birds and insects make, or (slang) trash talk.
How do you pronounce “chirp”?
“Chirp” is pronounced churp (/t͡ʃɚp/ in IPA).
How do you use “chirp” in a sentence?
Here is “chirp” used in a sentence: “The chirp of crickets filled the summer night.”
What part of speech is “chirp”?
Depending on how it is used, “chirp” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “chirp” come from?
The word “chirp” comes from Middle English. From an unattested Middle English verb *chirpen, related to other words for bird sounds like "chirk" and "chirm".
How many meanings does “chirp” have?
“Chirp” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short, high-pitched sound made by a bird or insect.
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