What does jitter mean?
Jitter describes small, rapid movements that are often involuntary, as when someone trembles from nervousness, excitement, or fear. It can also name the nervous feeling itself, especially in expressions such as “give someone the jitters.” The word often conveys a more agitated or restless quality than a general tremble: jittering suggests nervous energy, anxiety, or excitement rather than cold or illness. In technical contexts, particularly electronics and digital communication, jitter has a precise meaning. It refers to small variations in the timing or amplitude of a signal, which can cause playback distortion, timing instability, or data errors. As a verb, jitter can describe either nervous physical movement or the irregular fluctuation of a signal. The common derived adjective jittery is especially associated with anxiety and unease. Overall, jitter usefully links an everyday image of restless nervousness with the technical phenomenon of a signal that varies unpredictably instead of remaining steady.
To make small, rapid, often involuntary movements, especially as a result of nervousness, fear, or excitement; in technical contexts, to vary irregularly in timing or amplitude.
"His hands jittered as he tried to attach the label to the parcel."
The everyday sense is commonly used of people, animals, or parts of the body. The technical sense is used of electronic, digital, or audio signals.
A state of nervous anxiety; a small rapid movement or series of movements; or small irregular variations in the timing or amplitude of a signal.
"There was a slight jitter in her voice that revealed how worried she was."
“Give someone the jitters” is a common informal expression for making someone feel uneasy or frightened.
Used for repeated small movements or, in the informal expression “give someone the jitters,” for a feeling of nervous anxiety.
"The prospect of public speaking gave the students the jitters."
In electronics, jitter is a signal that will not sit still; in everyday life, it is the visible sign of nerves that have found the hands and voice.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jitter come from?
The word jitter dates from the 19th century and was originally associated with small jerking or trembling movements. Its precise origin is uncertain, although it is often linked to the older word titter, which also referred to trembling or shaking. The modern technical sense developed through the study of electrical and electronic signals, where jitter denotes minute variations in a signal's timing or strength.
Related word forms
How jitter is actually used
In everyday use, jitter is informal and commonly describes nervous or excited behaviour: “He was jittering with anticipation.” In electronics and signal processing, it is a technical term for variation in timing or amplitude that can cause data errors or instability.
Easily confused with jitter
A tremor is often a recurring or more prolonged shaking, whereas jitter usually emphasizes small, rapid, irregular movements.
A twitch is typically a single brief contraction or sudden movement, while jitter generally consists of repeated small movements.