WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
flut•ter /ˈflʌtɚ/USA pronunciation
v.
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to (cause to) wave or flap about: [no object]Banners fluttered in the breeze.[~ + object]The breeze fluttered the banners.
- to flap the wings rapidly or fly with flapping movements:[no object]The pigeons fluttered away.
- to move in quick, irregular motions:[no object]fluttered around the office looking for something to do.
- to beat rapidly:[no object]Her heart fluttered for a moment.
n. [countable]
- a fluttering movement:a flutter of wings.
- a state of nervous excitement or mental agitation:[usually: singular]in a flutter of anticipation.
- a stir;
flurry:[usually: singular]That news caused quite a flutter.
flut•ter
(flut′ər),USA pronunciation v.i.
v.t.
n.
flut′ter•er, n.
flut′ter•ing•ly, adv.
- to wave, flap, or toss about:Banners fluttered in the breeze.
- to flap the wings rapidly;
fly with flapping movements. - to move in quick, irregular motions;
vibrate. - to beat rapidly, as the heart.
- to be tremulous or agitated.
- to go with irregular motions or aimless course:to flutter back and forth.
v.t.
- to cause to flutter;
vibrate;
agitate. - to throw into nervous or tremulous excitement;
cause mental agitation;
confuse.
n.
- a fluttering movement:He made little nervous flutters with his hands.
- a state of nervous excitement or mental agitation:a flutter of anticipation.
- SportSee flutter kick.
- Sound Reproduction[Audio.]a variation in pitch resulting from rapid fluctuations in the speed of a recording. Cf. wow2 (def. 1).
- British Terms[Chiefly Brit.]a small wager or speculative investment.
- Middle English floteren, Old English floterian, frequentative of flotian to float bef. 1000
flut′ter•ing•ly, adv.
- 2. See fly 1. 10. flurry, twitter, stir, dither.