Jittery: meaning, definitions and examples

😬
Add to dictionary

jittery

 

[ ˈdʒɪtəri ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling anxious or nervous

Feeling jittery can be a common symptom of caffeine intake or stressful situations. It is characterized by restlessness, shaky hands, and an overall sense of unease.

Synonyms

anxious, edgy, nervous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
jittery

This word is often used to describe someone who is feeling very nervous or tense, often in a way that makes them fidgety or restless.

  • He felt jittery before his big presentation.
  • The caffeine made her feel jittery.
nervous

This word is commonly used to describe someone who is experiencing fear or worry, often in situations where they are uncertain or under pressure. It can be both temporary and related to specific events.

  • She was nervous before her job interview.
  • He gets nervous when speaking in public.
anxious

This word is used when someone is experiencing worry or fear about something that may happen. It can range from mild unease to intense worry.

  • She is anxious about her upcoming exams.
  • He felt anxious waiting for the test results.
edgy

This word is used when someone is tense or irritable, often in a way that may make them easily startled or upset.

  • He's been feeling edgy since the accident.
  • The constant noise made her feel edgy.

Examples of usage

  • I always feel jittery before giving a presentation.
  • She felt jittery after drinking too much coffee.
Context #2 | Adjective

having quick, jerky movements

The cat was jittery, constantly twitching its tail and ears. Jittery movements can be a sign of hyperactivity or agitation.

Synonyms

agitated, jerky, nervous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
jittery

Used when someone feels anxious or shaky, often due to stress or caffeine. It describes a nervous and jumpy feeling.

  • I always get jittery before giving a speech.
  • Too much coffee makes me feel jittery.
jerky

Used to describe sudden, sharp, and uneven movements. It is often used for physical actions or mechanical movements.

  • The ride was quite jerky on the old bus.
  • His jerky movements suggested he was nervous.
nervous

Used when someone feels uneasy or apprehensive, often in anticipation of something. This is a more neutral term compared to 'agitated' or 'jittery'.

  • She felt nervous before her job interview.
  • He gets nervous around large dogs.
agitated

Used when someone is visibly disturbed or upset, often due to anger or frustration. It suggests a heightened emotional state.

  • He was visibly agitated after the argument.
  • The news about the delay agitated the crowd.

Examples of usage

  • The squirrel made jittery movements as it searched for food.
  • His jittery behavior made it hard to concentrate.

Translations

Translations of the word "jittery" in other languages:

🇵🇹 nervoso

🇮🇳 चिंतित

🇩🇪 nervös

🇮🇩 gelisah

🇺🇦 нервовий

🇵🇱 nerwowy

🇯🇵 神経質な

🇫🇷 nerveux

🇪🇸 nervioso

🇹🇷 sinirli

🇰🇷 초조한

🇸🇦 عصبي

🇨🇿 nervózní

🇸🇰 nervózny

🇨🇳 紧张的

🇸🇮 živčen

🇮🇸 taugaóstyrkur

🇰🇿 жүйке жүйесі

🇬🇪 ნერვული

🇦🇿 əsəbi

🇲🇽 nervioso

Etymology

The word 'jittery' is derived from the noun 'jitter', which originated in the early 20th century in American English. It is believed to be an onomatopoeic word, mimicking the quick, jerky movements associated with the feeling of being jittery.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,502, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.