flutter

Examples

• All

• In the oldest corner of her being, Paula felt a flutter of panic.

  Fiction book (1998)

• During the ceremony, a flutter of excitement spread among the guests as they awaited the bride's arrival.

• I like a little flutter now and then.

  Skyfall (2012)

• Boys, please, it's just a little flutter.

  I.Q. (1994)

• There was a joyful flutter among the girls.

  Fiction book (2001)

• Winona pops in for a weekend visit and sets off flutters among the bachelor ranch hands.

  Fiction book (1993)

• Don't tell me there wouldn't be a flutter of giggling, flirting, gossiping, and a few scattered sighs.

  Blog text (20)

• The sudden flutter of confusion among the students signaled that the teacher's explanation was unclear.

Synonyms

T

to-do

vsflutter

• Informal

262 7.0

A noisy fuss about something not important

is about brief alarm or confusion, not only trivial fuss

D

disruption

vsflutter

126 4.1

A break in the normal flow of activity

is a sudden noisy fit, not mainly an interruption of function

S

stir

vsflutter

80 4.2

A short time of excitement and activity

is a brief agitated confusion rather than general excitement

C

commotion

vsflutter

73 4.1

A noisy situation when people are excited or confused

is a shorter sudden outburst of agitation rather than prolonged disorder

D

disturbance

vsflutter

45 3.7

A noisy event in a public place that bothers other people

is usually shorter and more like a quick confused fit

K

kerfuffle

vsflutter

• Informal

8 8.8

A small noisy fuss when people disagree

is more sudden and chaotic rather than a small argued fuss

H

hoo-ha

vsflutter

• Informal

1 9.6

A noisy fuss about something unimportant

is a shorter sudden unsettled agitation rather than needless attention

H

hurly-burly

vsflutter

• Literature

1 9.6

A noisy, confused situation with many people and activity

is typically smaller and much shorter, a quick agitated burst

H

hoo-hah

vsflutter

• Informal

1 9.4

A noisy fuss that causes excitement and arguments

is briefer and more like a quick confused reaction than argument

Antonyms

O

order

∞ 1.0

The arrangement of things in a neat sequence

C

calmness

9 2.7

A state without strong feelings or worry in your mind

Idioms

F

to flutter the dovecote

• Archaic

9.9

To cause sudden excitement or trouble in a calm group

Compounds

H

heart flutter

1 4.1

A quick nervous feeling in your chest when you are excited

F

flutter kick

• Specialized

3.4

A fast up-and-down kick with straight legs used in freestyle and backstroke

How Agitated

panic

394 2.7

commotion

73 4.1

stir

80 4.2

flutter

4 4.9

to flurry

1 4.6

calm

52 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology