Twang: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically describes a quick, metallic sound, often associated with plucking a string on a musical instrument like a guitar or a banjo. It can also describe a nasal quality in someone's voice.

• She felt a twang of nostalgia when she heard the old song
• ; The banjo player added a vibrant twang to the music

A short, high-pitched sound, often associated with electronic notifications or sonar. It conveys precision and brevity in sound.

• She heard the ping of a new message on her phone
• ; The submarine sent out a ping to detect underwater obstacles

Describes a harsh, discordant ringing sound, often made by metal objects shaking against each other. It can also refer to a tense or discordant situation or feeling.

• The keys jangled in her pocket as she walked
• ; The argument left a jangle of nerves in the office

A loud, resonant metallic sound often made by a metal object being struck or hitting another metal object. It is usually associated with noise that implies suddenness or impact.

• The clang of the dropped metal spoon echoed through the cafeteria
• ; Workers could be heard from far away as they clanged their tools against the machinery

When talking about a sharp, vibrating sound often associated with plucking a string on musical instruments or sometimes describing a nasal sound in a person's speech, use 'twang'. It can have a slightly informal or colloquial tone.

• The guitar made a loud twang as she struck the string.
• He spoke with a Southern twang that was hard to miss.

Use this when describing the act of pulling or picking a string on a musical instrument or pulling something out firmly. The term often connotes careful handling, and can be used in wider contexts beyond music.

• She gently plucked the strings of the harp.
• He plucked a flower from the garden for her.

Best used when talking about playing a stringed instrument by sweeping the thumb or a plectrum up or down across the strings. This term conveys a casual or rhythmic action typically associated with guitars and similar instruments.

• He began to strum his guitar, filling the air with a soothing melody.
• She strummed the ukulele while singing a cheerful song.