twitch

USAGE SUMMARY

'twitch' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb to describe a sudden, brief movement of muscles or as a noun to describe a sudden, brief movement of muscles, often as a result of a physiological reaction. Example sentence: He could not control the twitch in his arm, which was a result of his anxiety.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The "t" could be a result of blending with another word such as twist or twitch.

The Guardian - Books

Almost any half-suggestion of impropriety can make them twitch.

The Economist

"The story went that somehow this rod and your body generated static electricity" and the antenna would twitch if pointed toward explosives, says a colonel who tested equipment in Baghdad.

The Economist

So oil traders twitch every time the two sides exchange barbs.Nonetheless, during the past year spare capacity has actually increased marginally, as have stocks.

The Economist

The choice is stark: control by culling, or a slow death from starvation.Anton ThompsonJohannesburgFree as a birdSIR – Birds are the ultimate expression of liberation and freedom, which may explain why so many Britons "twitch" when watching them ("Starling-struck", March 19th).

The Economist

A "dip" is a failed "twitch", meaning that the bird flew off before the twitcher arrived, preventing him from "ticking", or recording, it.

The Economist

That implies the profit improvement is coming from higher margins, something that it is hard to believe can persist given the economic backdrop.The danger is that sentiment has flickered higher rather as a dissected frog's leg will twitch when an electric current is applied.

The Economist

If that still feels like too much work, hunters can buy electronic calls and life-size decoys to bring animals into range (an extra $49.99 buys a motorised tail, which can be told either to twitch or wag).Purists have lost a fight over the ethics of shooting from fixed tree stands.

The Economist

Mr Lam is small, with a tendency to slouch and twitch.

The Economist

Software sold by iMotions, a Danish firm, creates colour-coded maps that show where gazes glide, linger, or twitch back and forth in frustration.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sprinters have "fast-twitch" muscles, which contract quickly but tire rapidly; distance runners have "slow-twitch" muscles, which tire slowly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the online streaming platform "Twitch", ensure proper capitalization. When using "twitch" as a verb or noun describing a muscle spasm, use lowercase.

Common error

Avoid using "twitch" to describe muscle spasms or nervous tics in contexts where it could be misinterpreted as a reference to the streaming service. Clarify the context to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

Twitch functions primarily as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it describes a sudden, involuntary muscle movement. As a verb, it describes the act of making such a movement. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

27%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "twitch" functions as both a noun and a verb, commonly referring to a sudden, involuntary muscle movement. It also denotes the act of seeking out rare birds in birdwatching and names a popular video game streaming platform. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science sources, its formality is generally neutral, with a higher degree of informality when referring to the online platform. Be aware of context to avoid ambiguity between physical reactions and platform references.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief spasm

Similar to "twitch" but emphasizes the sudden and short-lived nature of the movement.

muscle spasm

Focuses specifically on the involuntary muscular contraction aspect.

jerk

Denotes a sudden, sharp, and often uncontrolled movement.

nervous tic

Emphasizes the involuntary and often repetitive nature of the movement.

sudden contraction

Highlights the physiological aspect of a muscle tightening briefly.

slight tremor

Suggests a more subtle and continuous shaking.

involuntary movement

Highlights the lack of conscious control over the action.

flicker

Implies a quick, unsteady movement, often related to light or energy, but can also describe a facial expression.

online gaming stream

Focuses on live video streams of people playing video games and substitute the "Twitch" name.

birding expedition

Refers to the activity of seeking out and identifying birds, specifically replacing the birdwatching context of "twitch".

FAQs

How can I use "twitch" in a sentence?

As a verb: "His eye began to twitch from the stress.". As a noun: "I noticed a slight twitch in her left hand".

What are some synonyms for "twitch" when referring to a muscle spasm?

You can use words like "spasm", "tic", or "jerk" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean to "twitch" when referring to birdwatching?

In birdwatching, to "twitch" means to travel, often long distances, to see a rare bird that has been spotted.

Is "Twitch" always related to video games?

While "Twitch" is widely known as a video game streaming platform, the word "twitch" itself has broader meanings related to sudden muscle movements or, in birdwatching, the act of seeking out rare birds.