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twig

twig

61 1.0
A small thin branch from a tree or bush
  • noun
  • /twɪɡ/
translation icon : ramita
  • During our walk in the park, I noticed a broken twig lying on the ground.
  • a small twig
  • break a twig
  • snapping twigs

We can be snapped like a twig, right?

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Examples

  • Then he hears a twig snap and the sound of something brushing up against the bushes.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The children gathered small twigs to use for their campfire.

  • But, you know, I got to tell you, this twig is very thin.

  • As the twig is bent, so grows the tree.

  • We pull back to one twig... ...one branch... ...and then the whole pristine forest.

  • But they really just like to look around and find sticks and twigs and whatever they can come up with.

  • There are often leaves and twigs, and there are also other species of bugs and worms.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Then, without a sound, without breaking a twig, the elk faded away into the forest.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Her fingers were busily removing dry leaves and twigs at the last minute.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Their headdress is decorated with specially prepared twigs that, when lit, burn slowly.

    Academic text (1998)

Synonyms

sprig
vstwig
19 3.0

A small stem with leaves used to add flavor or decorate food

refers to small thin branches living on the plant rather than cut pieces
twire
vstwig
  • Archaic
9.9

A small thin shoot from a tree or plant branch

is broader, meaning any small thin branch formed in recent years
branchlet
vstwig
7.8

A small thin branch that grows from a larger branch

is similar but covers thin small branches generally, not only terminal subdivisions
greenstick
vstwig
7.2

A fresh flexible twig that is still green and easy to bend

is the general small thin branch, not limited to fresh or flexible ones
subbranch
vstwig
3.5

A small limb that grows from a larger limb of a tree or plant

emphasizes thinness and yearly growth rather than position on a branch

Compounds

9.9

A European bush that turns red in autumn and has white flowers

twig blight
  • Specialized
9.2

A disease that makes the tips of twigs on trees and shrubs die back

How Big

trunk
79 1.9
bough
24 6.5
limb
64 2.5
branch
243 1.0
twig
61 1.0
sprig
1 6.7

Surface Forms

twig singular
twigs plural

Etymology

Twig comes from an old English word meaning a small 'shoot' or branch, so picture a thin stick you can snap off a tree — that's why a twig is a small, thin branch.