jittery

USAGE SUMMARY

'jittery' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that means feeling nervous or unstable. Example sentence: After the first day of her presentation went poorly, she was feeling jittery about the rest of the week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Add jittery electronic beats, Björk's powerful voice and a string section, and you've just about got a sense of the latest album from Iceland's reigning queen of experimental pop.

The Guardian - Music

Earl Sweatshirt: I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside Moody and introspective rap verses over jittery, self-produced beats on the Odd Future crew member's latest.

The Guardian - Music

Ratings agencies have been criticised for having too much clout in jittery markets during the financial crisis.

The Guardian

It did not take long for the most left-field suggestion of this or any recent season to reach Wantage Road: Justin Langer's restoration to the Australian Test team after an absence of two years in place of the jittery young Phillip Hughes.

The Guardian - Sport

Firms continued to cut jobs, and appear jittery over France's recovery.

The Guardian - Business

Real, but fewer than they pretend in hard times, when jittery financial markets will be watching closely.

The Guardian

In goal Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina have had too many jittery and unreliable moments.

The Guardian - Sport

Asked whether people were more jittery as a result of the lengthy siege in Sydney that ended in dramatic scenes on Tuesday, she said: "Of course they would be.

The Guardian

Kohver's arrest came just two days after a landmark visit by Barack Obama to Tallinn, aimed at reassuring jittery Baltic states of his country's commitment to their security as Nato allies in the face of Russia's role in the Ukraine crisis.

The Guardian

It's an intriguing and exhilarating film, which like Birdman uses the jittery, hyperactive quality of a drum solo to incite nervous excitement.

The Guardian - Film

Jittery investors pulled $5 billion out of Turkey on February 19th alone.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing market conditions or investor sentiment, use "jittery" to convey a sense of instability and heightened sensitivity to news or events.

Common error

Avoid using "jittery" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or technical language might be more appropriate. Instead, consider alternatives like "unstable" or "volatile".

Linguistic Context

Jittery functions primarily as an adjective, describing a state of nervousness, anxiety, or instability. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a valid term in English. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe both people and abstract concepts like markets.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "jittery" is a commonly used adjective to describe a state of nervousness, anxiety, or instability. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English, with Ludwig examples showing its applicability to both people and abstract concepts. While widely understood, "jittery" is best suited for neutral or informal contexts, with alternatives like "unstable" or "volatile" preferred in more formal writing. When describing markets, it effectively conveys heightened sensitivity to news. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "jittery" to add depth and precision to their descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nervous

A general term indicating anxiety or unease; broader in scope than "jittery".

anxious

Similar to nervous but often implies a more prolonged state of worry.

on edge

Describes a state of heightened alertness and tension.

restless

Suggests an inability to stay still or be content, often due to anxiety.

apprehensive

Implies a feeling of dread or unease about a future event.

uneasy

A mild form of discomfort or anxiety.

agitated

Suggests a more severe state of restlessness and anxiety, often with visible signs of distress.

fidgety

Describes small, restless movements, often indicating nervousness.

twitchy

Characterized by involuntary muscle twitches, indicating extreme nervousness.

shaky

Suggests physical trembling due to nervousness or fear.

FAQs

How can I use "jittery" in a sentence?

You can use "jittery" to describe a state of nervousness or instability. For example: "The markets became "jittery" after the announcement." or "She felt "jittery" before her presentation."

What are some alternatives to saying "jittery"?

You can use alternatives like "nervous", "anxious", or "restless" depending on the specific context.

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

While "jittery" is widely understood, it may be more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "unstable" or "volatile" for a more professional tone.

What makes markets "jittery"?

Markets become "jittery" when there is uncertainty or fear among investors, often triggered by economic news, political events, or unexpected shocks. This leads to increased volatility and rapid price swings.