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to flitter

to flitter

1 6.9
To move quickly and lightly, like a small bird or moth
  • verb
  • /ˈflɪtər/
translation icon : revolotear
  • Have you ever seen a moth around the light outside how it flitters around like that?

Examples

  • We cannot quite envision the whole, so we flitter around wasting energy and tearing up the place, which will likely lead to our own undoing.

    Blog text (4)
  • Nice young ladies just don't swim around rescuing people... in the middle of the ocean, and then flitter off into oblivion like some--

  • Birds frisk and flitter and whistle and sing.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Have you ever seen a moth around the light outside, how it flitters around like that?

  • You'll flitter-fly from tree to tree.

  • They flitter downward, settling on the worn wooden planks of the floor as she flees into the family room.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • He had begun with a standard base to flitter, but a fearful certainty as to whom he was trying to contact soon changed that to a more direct and fervent approach.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Oh, Flitter Queen—you make me think that the real gift isn't so much whether we flitter or hunker down to one project at a time as it is to be open to possibility, as you so delightfully put it.

    Blog text (8)
  • The butterflies flitter from flower to flower, gathering nectar.

  • As the wind blew, the leaves began to flitter down from the trees.

Synonyms

to vibrate
vsto flitter
91 2.8

To make very small, quick moves back and forth

is lighter and more fluttering rather than steady shaking
to wiggle
vsto flitter
89 1.0

To move with small, quick movements from side to side or up and down

feels lighter and more fluttering rather than playful small moves
to flicker
vsto flitter
60 3.6

Move or shine in quick unsteady ways

focuses on light rapid movement of parts rather than light itself
to flap
vsto flitter
54 1.4

To move up and down quickly, like wings or flags

is lighter and more fluttery than this stronger flapping action
to quiver
vsto flitter
47 4.5

To shake in small, quick movements because of fear, cold, or excitement

is more about light fluttering rather than trembling or fear
to jiggle
vsto flitter
46 3.2

To move something in short, quick shaking movements

is usually lighter and more fluttering than this short bouncing
to flutter
vsto flitter
35 3.5

To move quickly and lightly back and forth, like wings or leaves

is the general term for the same rapid, light fluttering motion
to waver
vsto flitter
12 4.8

To move or shake in a slight, unsteady way

is a lighter, quicker flutter rather than broad unsteady movement
to oscillate
vsto flitter
8 6.5

Move back and forth in a steady rhythm like a fan

is quicker and less regular, not a steady rhythmic swing
to skitter
vsto flitter
1 7.3

To make something move lightly and quickly across a surface, like a fishing lure

is an independent light fluttering movement rather than a caused skip
to bobble
vsto flitter
1 3.7

To move up and down quickly and lightly many times

is more a fluttering back and forth than simple bouncing
to flurry
vsto flitter
1 4.6

To move quickly in a worried or confused way

is more gentle and light rather than agitated or hurried motion
to librate
vsto flitter
9.9

Move back and forth a little before stopping

is briefer and more continuously light rather than slowing to stop
to wabble
vsto flitter
8.9

To move unsteadily from side to side

is more regular and delicate in fluttering than this irregular shaking
to butterfly
vsto flitter
7.0

To move lightly and irregularly through the air like a small insect with bright wings

is the general light fluttering action rather than a metaphorical image

Antonyms

To become quiet and calm after being excited

Not move from a place

How Fast

to zoom
26 1.3
to zip
  • Informal
32 2.3
dart
18 1.8
to flitter
1 6.9
to flutter
35 3.5

Surface Forms

flitter infinitive
flittered past
flittered past participle
flittering present participle
flitters third person singular

Morphology

flitter = flit (transparent) = flit + er

The word 'flitter' is transparently derived from 'flit' with the suffix '-er' indicating an action or process.

Etymology

Flitter is like the everyday words flutter and flicker, which give the image of small, quick, light movement. So to flitter is to 'move back and forth' or 'flutter' lightly and quickly.