flutter

noun

UK /ˈflʌtə(r)/

Word Forms

singular	flutter
plural	flutters

1
countable usually singulara series of short, quick, light movements up and down or from side to side
There was a flutter of wings as the birds took flight.
Synonyms and related words
Sudden and quick movements
dart
start
rush
2
countable usually singulara series of quick movements of the heart, caused by excitement or nervousness
Her heart gave a flutter when the phone rang.
Synonyms and related words
The heart, blood and circulation
A
ABO system
anticoagulant
1. 2a
  a medical condition in which your heart beats faster than normal
  Synonyms and related words
  The heart, blood and circulation
  A
  ABO system
  anticoagulant
3
singular an excited or nervous state or feeling
Rachel jumped up in a flutter and ran to the door.
a flutter of surprise
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of pleasure and excitement
pleasure
excitement
enthusiasm
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of worry and nervousness
worry
concern
stress
4
countable Britishinformala small bet
Synonyms and related words
Betting, bets and ways of betting
bet
betting
call

flutter

noun

US /ˈflʌtər/

Word Forms

singular	flutter
plural	flutters

1
countable usually singulara series of short, quick, light movements up and down or from side to side
There was a flutter of wings as the birds took flight.
Synonyms and related words
Sudden and quick movements
dart
start
rush
2
singular an excited or nervous state or feeling
a flutter of surprise
Rachel jumped up in a flutter and ran to the door.
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of pleasure and excitement
pleasure
excitement
enthusiasm
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of worry and nervousness
worry
concern
stress
3
countable usually singulara series of quick movements of the heart, caused by excitement or nervousness
Her heart gave a flutter when the phone rang.
Synonyms and related words
The heart, blood and circulation
A
ABO system
anticoagulant
1. 3a
  a medical condition in which your heart beats faster than normal
  Synonyms and related words
  The heart, blood and circulation
  A
  ABO system
  anticoagulant
4
countable Britishinformala small bet
Synonyms and related words
Betting, bets and ways of betting
across-the-board
bet
betting

flutter

verb

UK /ˈflʌtə(r)/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	flutter
he/she/it	flutters
present participle	fluttering
past tense	fluttered
past participle	fluttered

1
intransitive/transitive to move up and down or from side to side with short, quick, light movements, or to make something move in this way
Thousands of spectators fluttered Olympic and national flags.
Alexandra’s hands were fluttering around his head.
Synonyms and related words
To move up and down or backwards and forwards
swing
bounce
rock
1. 1a
  intransitive to move through the air with short, quick, light movements
  Autumn leaves fluttered to the ground.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move up and down or backwards and forwards
  swing
  bounce
  rock
2
intransitive/transitive if a bird or insect flutters its wings, or if its wings flutter, the wings make short, quick, light movements up and down
Synonyms and related words
Bird behaviour
alight
beat
be on the wing
Synonyms and related words
Insect behaviour
alight
beat
be on the wing
1. 2a
  intransitive if a bird or insect flutters somewhere, it moves by making short, quick, light movements with its wings
  flutter around/from/against:
  Attracted by the light, moths fluttered against the windows.
  Synonyms and related words
  Bird behaviour
  alight
  beat
  be on the wing
  Synonyms and related words
  Insect behaviour
  alight
  beat
  be on the wing
3
intransitive if your heart or pulse flutters, its regular movements suddenly become quicker because you are excited or nervous
Synonyms and related words
Bleeding and what the heart and blood do
beat
bleed
bleed out
1. 3a
  if your stomach flutters, you have an excited or nervous feeling in it
  Synonyms and related words
  Physical sensations associated with emotions
  churn
  convulse
  flutter

phrases

flutter your eyelashes at someone

flutter

verb

US /ˈflʌtər/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	flutter
he/she/it	flutters
present participle	fluttering
past tense	fluttered
past participle	fluttered

1
intransitive/transitive to move up and down or from side to side with short, quick, light movements, or to make something move in this way
Thousands of spectators fluttered Olympic and national flags.
Alexandra’s hands were fluttering around his head.
Synonyms and related words
To move up and down or backwards and forwards
swing
bounce
rock
1. 1a
  intransitive to move through the air with short, quick, light movements
  Autumn leaves fluttered to the ground.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move up and down or backwards and forwards
  swing
  bounce
  rock
2
intransitive/transitive if a bird or insect flutters its wings, or if its wings flutter, the wings make short, quick, light movements up and down
Synonyms and related words
Bird behavior
alight
beat
be on the wing
Synonyms and related words
Insect behavior
alight
beat
be on the wing
1. 2a
  intransitive if a bird or insect flutters somewhere, it moves by making short, quick, light movements with its wings
  flutter around/from/against:
  Attracted by the light, moths fluttered against the windows.
  Synonyms and related words
  Bird behavior
  alight
  beat
  be on the wing
  Synonyms and related words
  Insect behavior
  alight
  beat
  be on the wing
3
intransitive if your heart or pulse flutters, its regular movements suddenly become quicker because you are excited or nervous
Synonyms and related words
Bleeding and what the heart and blood do
beat
bleed
bleed out
1. 3a
  if your stomach flutters, you have an excited or nervous feeling in it
  Synonyms and related words
  Physical sensations associated with emotions
  churn
  convulse
  flutter

phrases

flutter your eyelashes at someone