jitter

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'jitter' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an unsteady movement or an uneasy state of mind. For example: She felt a jitter of fear as she walked down the dark alley.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Labour has moved into a wafer-thin one-point lead in the final pre-election Guardian/ICM poll, leaving the country on a knife-edge with the markets starting to jitter.

The Guardian

Emerging-market bonds and shares, for instance, may jitter further.

The Economist

When the beam fires, the control system must compensate both for aircraft jitter and for distortions in the beam's path caused by atmospheric conditions.

The Economist

But they were ignored as the financial markets shrugged off one jitter after another.

The Economist

There were also such subsidiary feedback loops as that of the autopilot controlling the attitude of the missile, and the dynamic response of the system was further affected by the need to process the radar signals to remove radar "jitter".

Encyclopedia Britannica

With her shock of blonde hair, learned half rimmed spectacles and a look that has an extraordinary ability to reflect each and every market jitter, 47-year-old Ms Wallmeyer, who works as a broker for Germany's ICF securities bank, seems to capture the emotions of anyone who has money invested anywhere right now.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

So, too, could a spring budget that, like December's pre-budget report, failed to spell out a credible plan to reduce the deficit.Even if the economic news is promising and the financial markets jitter-free, Labour will have a hard job to convince voters that it deserves to manage the economy and public finances for a fourth term.

The Economist

The New York influence gives this team not only different speech patterns -- O'Quinn and Evans call this event a TOUR-nament, rather than a TER-nament -- but a jitter-free demeanor.

The New York Times

Tichon is back and Kátya's all a-jitter.

The Guardian - Music

Not wanting to cause a stir with such predictably English habits, I take four days to emerge jitter-free from a period of cold turkey which also begins to explain why the French, despite their strictly upheld 35-hour week, are often named one of the world's most productive workforces.

The Guardian

For director Christopher Nolan, that meant working with cumbersome, jitter-sensitive and noisy cameras capable of only three-minute takes and requiring 20 minutes to reload.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by specifying the type of "jitter" you are describing, such as "radar jitter" or "network jitter", to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "jitter" interchangeably with general terms like "vibration" or "oscillation". "Jitter" implies an unwanted, irregular variation, while the others can be regular or intentional.

Linguistic Context

The word "jitter" functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it describes an abrupt and unwanted variation or a state of nervousness. As a verb, it means to be nervous or to move erratically. According to Ludwig AI, "jitter" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "jitter" is versatile, serving as both a noun and a verb, and finds frequent use across various domains, especially in news, media, and technical contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in English writing. It denotes either a state of nervousness or an unwanted variation in signals. When writing, ensure to match the use of "jitter" with its context (technical vs. emotional) to maintain clarity. Be cautious not to confuse "jitter" with similar terms such as "vibration". While "jitter" is often employed in technical descriptions, consider more formal alternatives like "nervousness" in other contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nervousness

A more general term for the state of being anxious or uneasy.

uneasiness

Highlights the feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

nervous tremor

Focuses on the physical manifestation of nervousness rather than the state itself.

slight shake

Emphasizes the physical instability or movement.

instability

Focuses on the lack of steadiness or reliability.

sudden flicker

Highlights a brief, unsteady change in light or image.

erratic variation

Emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the changes.

minor fluctuation

Refers to a small, irregular variation in a signal or value.

signal disturbance

Specifically refers to unwanted alterations in a signal.

abrupt deviation

Highlights a sudden departure from a standard or expected value.

FAQs

How is "jitter" used in technical contexts?

In technical fields, "jitter" refers to an unwanted and abrupt variation in signal characteristics, such as in network communication or video displays. It's often associated with timing inaccuracies or disturbances.

What does it mean when someone has the "jitters"?

To have the "jitters" means to be in a state of nervousness or anxiety. It often implies a feeling of unease or restlessness, sometimes accompanied by physical manifestations like trembling or fidgeting.

What can I say instead of "jitter" in a technical description?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "fluctuation", "deviation", or "instability" to describe unwanted signal variations.

Is "jitter" appropriate for formal writing?

While "jitter" is acceptable in formal technical contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "nervousness" or "anxiety" when describing emotional states in formal writing.