twang

Meaning

Noun

1. The sharp, quick sound of a vibrating tight string, for example, of a bow or a musical instrument.
2. A particular sharp vibrating sound characteristic of electric guitars.
3. A trace of a regional or foreign accent in someone's voice.
4. The sound quality that appears in the human voice when the epilaryngeal tube is narrowed.
5. A sharp, pungent taste or flavor; sometimes, a disagreeable one specifically.
6. (slang) An annoying or stupid person; especially, a recalcitrant.

Verb

1. To produce or cause to produce a sharp vibrating sound, like a tense string pulled and suddenly let go.
2. To have a nasal sound.
3. To have a trace of a regional or foreign accent.
4. To play a stringed musical instrument by plucking and snapping.

Synonyms

sound

🔉

nasal twang

plunk

clang

ting

tang

speak through one’s nose

nose

👃

pick

⛏️

ring

💍

roar

shake

shiver

smack

snuffle

thrum

tremolo

zing

nasal tone

speak through the nose

tone of voice

tap out

nasal pronunciation

bellow

nasale

chord

clink

intonation

nasality

nasalize

noise

peal

Pronounced as (IPA)

/twæŋ/

Etymology

Onomatopoeic. Compare Middle English twengen (“to pinch, tweak”), from Old English twenġen (“to pinch, twinge”); Middle English twingen (“to afflict, torment, oppress”), from Old Norse þvinga (“to weigh down, oppress”); Old English twingan (“to force, press”).