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View synonyms for

twang

[ twang ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to give out a sharp, vibrating sound, as the string of a musical instrument when plucked.
  2. to produce such a sound by plucking a stringed musical instrument.
  3. to have or produce a sharp, nasal tone, as the human voice.


verb (used with object)

  1. to cause to make a sharp, vibrating sound, as a string of a musical instrument.
  2. to produce (music) by plucking the strings of a musical instrument.
  3. to pluck the strings of (a musical instrument):

    to twang a guitar.

  4. to speak with a sharp, nasal tone.
  5. to pull the string of (an archer's bow).
  6. to let fly (an arrow).

noun

  1. the sharp, ringing sound produced by plucking or suddenly releasing a tense string.
  2. a sound resembling this.
  3. an act of plucking or picking:

    He gave his guitar strings a twang.

  4. a sharp, nasal tone, as of the human voice.

twang

/ ٷæŋ /

noun

  1. a sharp ringing sound produced by or as if by the plucking of a taut string

    the twang of a guitar

  2. the act of plucking a string to produce such a sound
  3. a strongly nasal quality in a person's speech, esp in certain dialects
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to make or cause to make a twang

    to twang a guitar

  2. to strum (music, a tune, etc)

    to twang on a guitar

  3. to speak or utter with a sharp nasal voice
  4. intr to be released or move with a twang

    the arrow twanged away

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٷɲԲ, adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of twang1

First recorded in 1535–45; imitative
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Word History and Origins

Origin of twang1

C16: of imitative origin
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He rewarded them with a laid-back set, that repurposed some of his earlier pop/rap hits with the "yee-haw" twang of his recent album F-1 Trillion.

From

There are going to be times when she notices that kind of twang of a heartstring because of the experiences she will not be able to have with Molly.

From

With nearly two decades together as a band, these garage surf rockers bring a West Coast twang to their DIY, punk roots.

From

Heard in the warm, Americana twangs that complete “Kansas Anymore,” these sounds are an ode to his upbringing in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

From

Though the Tennessee-born comedian describes his voice as having more Southern twang than “a racist banjo,” it takes him less than two minutes onstage to show why he’s known as “the Liberal Redneck.”

From

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