fluttering

Everyday

1. Fluttering means moving quickly and lightly up and down or to and fro, like a butterfly's wings, a flag or falling leaves. tree →
2. A fluttering feeling, like butterflies in your tummy, is a light nervous feeling. tree →
3. A fluttering heart beats fast and unevenly. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and poems fluttering wings, leaves and flags make pictures of lightness and movement; in science butterflies and moths are seen fluttering. Phrases: «fluttering wings», «fluttering in the breeze», «a fluttering in my tummy».

Examples

• A butterfly was fluttering over the flowers. tree →
• Flags were fluttering in the breeze. tree →
• Leaves came fluttering down from the trees. tree →
• I had a fluttering feeling before my test. tree →
• The baby bird was fluttering its wings. tree →
• Her eyelashes were fluttering. tree →
• Moths kept fluttering round the lamp. tree →
• “Why, indeed?” said a Butterfly, who was fluttering about after a sunbeam. tree →

Note

From «flutter» (one «t» doubled already: flu-tt-er, then add «-ing»). Softer and lighter than «flapping»; small things flutter, big things flap.