What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
chirred
Example
The crickets chirred in the garden all night long. [chirred: verb]
Example
The bird chirred happily from its perch in the tree. [chirred: past tense]
chirp
Example
I woke up to the chirping of birds outside my window. [chirping: gerund or present participle]
Example
The cricket chirped loudly in the grass. [chirped: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Chirp is more commonly used than chirred in everyday language. Chirp is a versatile word that can be used to describe various sounds made by birds or electronic devices, while chirred is less common and specific to the sounds made by insects or machinery.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between chirred and chirp?
Both chirred and chirp can be used in informal contexts. However, chirp is more commonly used and can also be employed in formal writing or speech.
