jitterbug
1 of 2noun
jit·ter·bug ˈji-tər-ˌbəg 
1
: a jazz variation of the two-step in which couples swing, balance, and twirl in standardized patterns and often with vigorous acrobatics
2
: one who dances the jitterbug
jitterbug
2 of 2verb
jitterbugged; jitterbugging; jitterbugs
intransitive verb
1
: to dance the jitterbug
2
: to move around or back and forth with quick often jerky movements especially to confuse or disconcert an opponent in sports
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2021 Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw eight first-quarter passes to Tyreek Hill, a confounding All-Pro jitterbug who creates nightmares for all defenders. Mark Craig, Star Tribune, 5 Feb. 2021 As freshmen last season, Jackson and Mike Sainristil flashed their physical talents, displaying elusiveness and jitterbug-type quickness. Rainer Sabin, Detroit Free Press, 28 Sep. 2020 First-date jitterbugs come in a wide swatch of colors, ranging from extremely vibrant to very, very dull. Rachel Van Nes, The New Yorker, 12 Feb. 2020 His variation of the jitterbug appealed to white kids who were forbidden to enter black clubs, Cavallo said. Ben Crandell, sun-sentinel.com, 3 Dec. 2019 Our generation regards political parties as a relic of an era of black-and-white television, transatlantic ocean-liners and the jitterbug. The Economist, 1 Nov. 2019 The Chargers' jitterbug finished with 58 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries to go along with 96 receiving yards on six catches and two touchdowns. Jim Ayello, Indianapolis Star, 8 Sep. 2019 The running back unit ascends with the additions of sagacious veteran Frank Gore and multidimensional jitterbug Devin Singletary, a third-round pick from Florida Atlantic. Andy Benoit, SI.com, 7 Aug. 2019 Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2020 Franzke, who loved to jitterbug as a kid, served in the Navy from 1943 to 1945, flying Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers off the carrier USS Saginaw Bay in the Pacific. Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2020 Patti jitterbugging to a Les Paul and Mary Ford record. Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2020 Against these, Davis superimposes the bright, almost jitterbugging mosaic pattern on the mother’s spandex pants. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 30 Jan. 2020 Bush caught a screen pass and jitterbugged past a diving tackler and exploded into the open field. Zach Helfand, latimes.com, 13 Sep. 2017 See More
Noun
The town's alternate life, finally in Mr. Potter's clutches, is literally called Pottersville, which frankly looks hopping with its jitterbug-friendly bars. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2021 Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw eight first-quarter passes to Tyreek Hill, a confounding All-Pro jitterbug who creates nightmares for all defenders. Mark Craig, Star Tribune, 5 Feb. 2021 As freshmen last season, Jackson and Mike Sainristil flashed their physical talents, displaying elusiveness and jitterbug-type quickness. Rainer Sabin, Detroit Free Press, 28 Sep. 2020 First-date jitterbugs come in a wide swatch of colors, ranging from extremely vibrant to very, very dull. Rachel Van Nes, The New Yorker, 12 Feb. 2020 His variation of the jitterbug appealed to white kids who were forbidden to enter black clubs, Cavallo said. Ben Crandell, sun-sentinel.com, 3 Dec. 2019 Our generation regards political parties as a relic of an era of black-and-white television, transatlantic ocean-liners and the jitterbug. The Economist, 1 Nov. 2019 The Chargers' jitterbug finished with 58 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries to go along with 96 receiving yards on six catches and two touchdowns. Jim Ayello, Indianapolis Star, 8 Sep. 2019 The running back unit ascends with the additions of sagacious veteran Frank Gore and multidimensional jitterbug Devin Singletary, a third-round pick from Florida Atlantic. Andy Benoit, SI.com, 7 Aug. 2019 Verb
Patrons could summon up Ellington for a coin and start jitterbugging. Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2020 Franzke, who loved to jitterbug as a kid, served in the Navy from 1943 to 1945, flying Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers off the carrier USS Saginaw Bay in the Pacific. Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2020 Patti jitterbugging to a Les Paul and Mary Ford record. Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2020 Against these, Davis superimposes the bright, almost jitterbugging mosaic pattern on the mother’s spandex pants. Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 30 Jan. 2020 Bush caught a screen pass and jitterbugged past a diving tackler and exploded into the open field. Zach Helfand, latimes.com, 13 Sep. 2017 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1939, in the meaning defined at sense 1
jitterbug
verb
as in to tango
Synonyms & Similar Words
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- tango
- waltz
- boogie
- mambo
- bop
- jig
- polka
- jive
- gavotte
- shag
- fox-trot
- shimmy
- tap-dance
- shuffle
- boogey
- boogy
- dance
- prance
- strut
- twist
- trip
- tread
- step
- hoof (it)
- foot (it)
- incaging
- incaic
- incalculabilities
- incalculability
- incalculable
- incalculableness
- incalculablenesses
- incalculably
- incalescence
- incalescences
- incalescent
- incaliculate
- incamp
- incan
- incandesce
- incandesced
- incandescence
- incandescences
- incandescent
- incandescent lamp
- incandescent lamps
- incandescent light
- incandescent light bulb
- incandescent mantle
- incandescent with rage