twitch

UK: /ˈtwɪtʃ/ US: /twɪtʃ/ ,(twich)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

twitch /twɪtʃ/   v. 

1. to (cause to) move with a sudden, jerking motion, as a part of the body: [no object]
   He lay there twitching as the drug took effect.
   [~ + object]
   He twitched his arm.
2. to tug or pull at with a quick, short movement: [~ + object]
   Someone twitched my coat sleeve.
   [no object]
   to twitch at his coat sleeve.
3. to ache with a sharp, shooting pain:
   [no object] His arm twitched with pain.

n. [countable]

4. a quick, jerky, uncontrolled movement of the body or of some part of it, as a muscle.
5. a mental twinge, as of pain, conscience, etc.;
   a pang:
   a twitch of conscience.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

twitch (twich),  v.t. 

1. to tug or pull at with a quick, short movement;
   pluck:
   She twitched him by the sleeve.
2. to jerk rapidly:
   The rider twitched the reins a couple of times.
3. to move (a part of the body) with a sudden, jerking motion.
4. to pinch or pull at sharply and painfully;
   give a smarting pinch to;
   nip.

v.i. 

5. to move spasmodically or convulsively;
   jerk;
   jump.
6. to give a sharp, sudden pull;
   tug;
   pluck (usually fol. by at):
   He constantly twitched at his collar.
7. to ache or hurt with a sharp, shooting pain;
   twinge:
   That back tooth twitches a bit.

n. 

8. a quick, jerky movement of the body or of some part of it.
9. involuntary, spasmodic movement of a muscle;
   tic:
   He gets a twitch in his left eye when he's nervous.
10. a short, sudden pull or tug;
    jerk.
11. a bodily or mental twinge, as of pain, conscience, etc.;
    pang.
12. a loop or noose placed over the muzzle of a horse and tightened by twisting a stick or handle to which it is attached, used as a restraining device during a painful operation.

• 1125–75; Middle English twicchen (verb, verbal); akin to Old English twiccian to pluck; cognate with German zwicken to pinch

twitch′er, n. 
twitch′ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

twitch / twɪtʃ/ verb

1. to move or cause to move in a jerky spasmodic way
2. (transitive) to pull or draw (something) with a quick jerky movement
3. (intransitive) to hurt with a sharp spasmodic pain

noun

1. a sharp jerking movement
2. a mental or physical twinge
3. a sudden muscular spasm
4. a loop of cord used to control a horse by drawing it tight about its upper lip

Etymology: Old English twiccian to pluck; related to Old High German zwecchōn to pinch, Dutch twicken