flutter

[[t]flʌ̱tə(r)[/t]]

flutters, fluttering, fluttered

1) V-ERG If something thin or light flutters, or if you flutter it, it moves up and down or from side to side with a lot of quick, light movements.

Her chiffon skirt was fluttering in the night breeze.

[V n] ...a butterfly fluttering its wings.

[V-ing] ...the fluttering white lace handkerchief.

N-COUNT

Flutter is also a noun.

...a flutter of white cloth.

2) VERB If something light such as a small bird or a piece of paper flutters somewhere, it moves through the air with small quick movements.

[V adv/prep] The paper fluttered to the floor...

The birds were active, whirring and fluttering among the trees.

3) N-COUNT: oft N on n If you have a flutter, you have a small bet on something such as a horse race. [BRIT, INFORMAL]

I had a flutter on five horses.

Syn:

bet

4) VERB If you say that someone flutters somewhere, you mean that they walk there with quick, light movements, often in a silly way or in a way which suggests that they are nervous.

[V adv/prep] She'd been fluttering about in the kitchen.

5) VERB If your heart or stomach flutters, you experience a strong feeling of excitement or anxiety.

The look in his eyes made my heart flutter.