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Chirping Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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chirping

[ˈtʃɜː.pɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

birds

to make a short, high-pitched sound

Synonyms

cheep, peep, twitter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
chirping

Commonly used to describe the sound birds make, soft and pleasant, often during the daytime.

  • The robins were chirping outside the window
  • The garden was full of chirping birds
twitter

Describes a series of short, high-pitched sounds made by birds, often continuous and musical.

  • The sparrows were twittering in the trees
  • The morning was filled with the twitter of songbirds
cheep

Usually refers to the high-pitched sound of small birds or young chicks.

  • The baby birds cheeped loudly, waiting for their mother
  • You could hear the chicks cheeping in the nest
peep

Often denotes a small, faint sound, can refer to birds or a cautious, subtle noise.

  • We could hardly hear the little bird peeping
  • The mouse let out a tiny peep

Examples of usage

  • The birds were chirping in the trees.
  • I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window.
Context #2 | Noun

birds

the short, high-pitched sound made by birds

Synonyms

cheeping, peeping, twittering.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
chirping

Chirping is generally used to describe the sound that small birds make. It can also be used to describe a similar high-pitched sound made by insects like crickets.

  • The birds were chirping happily in the morning.
  • We could hear the crickets chirping in the grass.
twittering

Twittering is primarily used to describe a series of light, musical sounds made by birds. It can also be used to describe people talking lightly and rapidly.

  • We woke up to the sound of birds twittering outside our window.
  • The children were twittering excitedly at the playground.
cheeping

Cheeping is typically used to describe the soft, high-pitched sounds that young birds or chicks make.

  • The baby chicks were cheeping loudly from the nest.
  • You could hear the cheeping of the newly hatched birds.
peeping

Peeping is often used to describe the small, quick sounds made by young birds but can also imply a brief, high-pitched noise.

  • The ducklings were peeping as they followed their mother.
  • I heard some peeping sounds coming from the bushes.

Examples of usage

  • The chirping of the sparrows was a pleasant sound in the morning.
  • I could hear the chirping of crickets in the evening.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Nature

  • Many birds use chirping to communicate with each other, signaling everything from danger to finding mates.
  • Insects like crickets also chirp, using stridulation (rubbing their wings together) to create sound, especially at night.

Science

  • Chirping can vary by species, location, and even individual birds, each with a unique 'song' or call.
  • Research shows that some birds can adjust their chirp patterns to mimic other birds, enhancing their communication skills.

Cultural Significance

  • Chirping is often associated with the arrival of spring, symbolizing renewal and the reawakening of nature.
  • In many cultures, the sound of chirping is seen as a sign of good luck or prosperity, often representing harmony in the environment.

Pop Culture

  • Chirping sounds are commonly used in films and cartoons to convey a lively, cheerful atmosphere.
  • Songs and poems often mention chirping to evoke feelings of peace, nature, and happiness, reminiscent of playful days outdoors.

Origin of 'chirping'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'chirp' comes from Middle English 'chirpen,' which means to make a short, sharp sound.
  • Related words in other languages include 'trille' in French, reflecting similar sharp sounds in nature.

The word 'chirping' originated from the Old English word 'cyrpian', which means to make a shrill cry. It has been used to describe the sound of birds since ancient times, with references found in Old English poetry and literature. The onomatopoeic nature of the word captures the sharp, high-pitched sound of birdsong, making it a fitting term to describe this natural phenomenon.

See also: chirp, chirper.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,642, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.