chirp

American  

[churp] / tʃɜrp /

verb (used without object)

1. to make a characteristic short, sharp sound, as small birds and certain insects.

2. to make any similar sound.

   The children chirped with amusement.

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verb (used with object)

1. to sound or utter in a chirping manner.

   The little girl chirped her joy.

noun

1. a chirping sound.

chirp ¹ British  

/ tʃɜːp /

verb

1. (esp of some birds and insects) to make a short high-pitched sound

2. to speak in a lively fashion

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noun

1. a chirping sound, esp that made by a bird

CHIRP ² British  

/ tʃɜːp /

acronym

1. Confidential Human Incidents Reporting Programme: a system, run by the RAF Institute of Medicine, by which commercial pilots can comment on safety trends without the knowledge of their employers

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Other Word Forms

• chirper noun
• chirpingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of chirp

1400–50; late Middle English chyrpynge (gerund); expressive word akin to cheep, chirk, etc.

Example Sentences

For the first time, astronomers had observed a supernova producing a quasi periodic signal that increased in frequency, forming a "chirp."

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2026

Even the normally loquacious Healy - niece of former Australia men's wicketkeeper Ian - lacked her usual chirp behind the stumps.

From BBC • Oct. 12, 2025

I could hardly take another disappointment delivered with a cheerful chirp to my inbox.

From Slate • Jan. 2, 2025

A master of disguise, an evil genius with plenty of tricks up his wings and a relentless pursuer of retribution, Feathers McGraw nests among cinema’s great villains without ever having crooned a single chirp.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2024

One night he learned on a TV show that red-wing blackbirds give this high-pitched chirp when a hawk or some other danger comes near.

From "Frindle" by Andrew Clements

Related Words

• trill
• warble