jitters

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'jitters' is correct and usable in written English.
It usually refers to nervousness or anxiety, and can be used either in a literal or figurative context. Example Sentence: The interviewee had a case of the jitters, and could barely keep his hands from shaking.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The biggest irony is that, just as Slovakia was consummating its marriage with the west, Mr Meciar was staging a comeback, giving the west, and many Slovaks, the jitters.

The Guardian

The surge of support for independence also sent jitters through the stock market, as shares in companies with large Scottish interest suffered sharp falls in early trading.

The Guardian

Leading shares have reversed early gains as jitters about the UK election and worries about Greece's finances unsettle investors.

The Guardian - Business

The final polls – and the visible jitters among the British elite – gave the yes side confidence that they were on course for victory.

The Guardian

England arrived in Perth 2-0 down, having been obliterated in Brisbane by 277 runs and succumbing to final day jitters in Adelaide as their batsmen collapsed to 129 all out, en route to a six-wicket defeat.

The Guardian - Sport

When these two ingredients work together you get energy without the jitters of coffee, creating a perfect balance for studying or sport.

The Guardian

That they recovered to make 278 and cause more than few jitters through the England camp as the ball flew the boundary was down in part to some powerful hitting and in no small measure to some benevolent bowling that tended to put the ball into the arc of the bat swing rather nicely.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: Election polling day live: UK market jitters as votes cast in knife-edge poll As Britain goes to the polls on Thursday should anyone else care?

The Guardian

Currency market jitters over the impact of a yes vote on 18 September also intensified in the wake of the YouGov poll, with the value of the pound falling almost two cents against the US dollar to $1.614, a 10-month low.

The Guardian

That sent jitters through stock markets too, with share indices down around Europe.

The Guardian - Business

Global markets were rattled on Tuesday by renewed fears that Greece is close to bankruptcy while tough talk from George Osborne on the UK's position in Europe added to jitters about the region's future.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jitters" to describe a feeling of nervousness or unease, especially in situations involving uncertainty or anticipation. It's suitable for both personal feelings and describing market instability.

Common error

Avoid using "jitters" to describe serious anxiety conditions. While "jitters" suggests mild nervousness, clinical anxiety disorders require professional diagnosis and treatment.

Linguistic Context

The word "jitters" functions primarily as a noun, often plural, to describe a state of nervousness, anxiety, or unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig showcase usage in contexts like election outcomes and market volatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

24%

Sport

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "jitters" is a versatile noun used to describe feelings of nervousness, anxiety, or unease, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's frequently employed in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts to depict market volatility and reactions to uncertain events. While grammatically correct and widely used, it is essential to distinguish it from more severe anxiety disorders. Alternatives like "nervousness" or "apprehension" may be more appropriate in formal settings. Using "jitters" effectively requires understanding its nuanced meaning and choosing contexts where its informal tone is suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nervousness

Focuses more on the feeling of being nervous.

anxiety

Highlights the feeling of unease and worry.

apprehension

Implies a sense of dread or anticipation of something negative.

unease

Suggests a general feeling of discomfort or disquiet.

trepidation

Emphasizes fear or hesitation about doing something.

disquiet

Focuses on a state of worry or restlessness.

instability

Highlights the lack of stability or predictability.

palpitations

Refers to irregular or rapid heartbeats due to nervousness.

butterflies in stomach

An idiomatic expression indicating nervousness, especially before an event.

the heebie jeebies

Informal term for a feeling of anxiety or unease.

FAQs

How to use "jitters" in a sentence?

You can use "jitters" to describe a feeling of nervousness before an event, or to refer to instability in a market. For example: "The upcoming election gave the market the jitters."

What can I say instead of "jitters"?

You can use alternatives like "nervousness", "anxiety", or "apprehension" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "jitters" in formal writing?

While "jitters" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "unease" or "apprehension" might be more suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "jitters" and "anxiety"?

"Jitters" typically refers to a mild, temporary state of nervousness, whereas "anxiety" can describe a more intense and persistent feeling of worry or fear. Anxiety may also indicate a clinical condition.