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

/ twæŋ /

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

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

Derived Forms

• ˈtwangy, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of twang¹

First recorded in 1535–45; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of twang¹

C16: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Shaped similarly to an acoustic guitar, the bajo quinto is slightly larger, has a pointed edge and can be identified by its deep, intimidating twang.

From Los Angeles Times

She moves seamlessly between her lower and upper registers, belting the high notes with a slight country twang, but equally capable of dropping to a hushed, heartbroken whisper.

From BBC

With a "best of British with a French twang" soundtrack featuring Queen, the Beatles and the national anthems of Britain and France, she bettered that score in Sunday's medal performance.

From BBC

They exchanged a long embrace before the hall filled with the country twang of Merle Haggard’s “America First.”

From Los Angeles Times

There, he lost his Texas twang and learned to speak in the posh mid-Atlantic manner.

From Los Angeles Times