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twitchy

twitchy

2 3.9
Making small, sudden movements of the body
  • adjective
  • /ˈtwɪtʃi/
  • Informal
translation icon : espasmódico
  • After drinking too much coffee, she felt twitchy and couldn't sit still.
  • twitchy movements
  • little twitchy
  • Twitchy little noses

Examples

  • A twitchy eye.

    Blog text (2)
  • He was smiling, but he was a little twitchy.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • But keep an eye on Damian Lewis's twitchy fingers.

    Blog text (17)
  • Marie, with her skinny frame and sharp features, made Rachel think of a twitchy cat poised to pounce.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Meanwhile, Garth bounced on Hogan's couch, and Sapphire rubbed against Lindsay's arms and tickled her chin with her dark, twitchy tail.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • The dog's twitchy movements made it clear he was excited to go for a walk.

  • He nervously fidgeted with his pen, his fingers twitchy as he waited for the interview to begin.

Synonyms

jerky
vstwitchy
48 4.3

Moving in sudden, uneven ways that are not smooth

is narrower, stressing tiny involuntary muscle motions rather than general uneven movement
jittery
vstwitchy
26 4.5

Feeling nervous and unable to stay still

is more about involuntary muscle movement than mainly emotional nervousness
spastic
vstwitchy
  • Specialized
12 8.6

Having stiff or uncontrolled muscles because of a nerve problem

covers smaller sudden twitches rather than sustained stiffness or strong spasms
fidgety
vstwitchy
8 4.8

Unable to stay still because you feel nervous

is about involuntary small muscle motions rather than restless inability to sit still
jumpy
vstwitchy
4 3.9

Moving in sudden small jumps instead of smoothly

is specific to tiny involuntary muscle movements rather than general jolting
spasmodic
vstwitchy
2 8.1

Happening suddenly in short, irregular bursts or movements

describes smaller, more continuous sudden muscle movements rather than bursty spasms
fluttery
vstwitchy
2 4.9

Feeling nervous and excited with a quick, shaky feeling in the body

is primarily involuntary muscle movement rather than feeling-based light shaking
herky
vstwitchy
  • Informal
1 9.9

Moving in sudden, awkward jerks

is about small sudden muscle twitches rather than overall awkward jerks
myoclonic
vstwitchy
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Showing sudden muscle jerks that happen without control

is about small sudden involuntary movements rather than brief strong jerks
squirmy
vstwitchy
1 3.5

Moving in a restless, wiggly way

is mainly sudden involuntary muscle movements rather than continuous wriggling
jolty
vstwitchy
1 7.4

Moving with sudden, uneven bumps that make you feel unsteady

describes smaller involuntary muscle movements rather than heavier jolting shocks
spasmic
vstwitchy
7.9

Happening in sudden short uncontrolled movements or bursts

is focused on small sudden movements rather than larger spasm bursts
dystonic
vstwitchy
  • Specialized
9.9

Involving muscle contractions that make the body move or stay in strange positions

refers more to small sudden movements rather than sustained abnormal postures
dyskinetic
vstwitchy
  • Specialized
9.9

Uncontrolled muscle movements that you cannot make on purpose

means small sudden involuntary motions rather than broad disorder symptoms
jittering
vstwitchy
6.0

Small quick movements of a person or thing often from being nervous

is specifically sudden small muscle movements rather than general rapid variation
jerkish
vstwitchy
8.0

Moving in short, sudden, uneven movements

focuses on very small involuntary muscle movements rather than general abruptness

Antonyms

304 2.0

Not changing over time and remaining the same

41 3.0

Completely still with no movement, like a statue

How Twitchy

spasmodic
2 8.1
twitchy
  • Informal
2 3.9
restless
110 3.0
fidgety
8 4.8

Surface Forms

twitchy positive

Morphology

twitchy = twitch (transparent) = twitch + y

Direct adjectival formation from 'twitch' meaning 'characterized by twitching', which is straightforward for learners.

Etymology

The word twitchy comes from the verb twitch, meaning 'a sudden, small jerk'. So, twitchy describes body parts that make quick movements 'without meaning to'.