What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
chitter
Example
The birds chittered happily in the trees. [chitter: verb]
Example
I could hear the chittering of crickets in the grass. [chittering: gerund or present participle]
chirp
Example
The robin chirped from its nest in the tree. [chirped: past tense]
Example
I woke up to the chirping of birds outside my window. [chirping: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Chirp is more commonly used than chitter in everyday language. Chirp is widely recognized and used to describe the sound made by birds, while chitter is less common and can be used for a broader range of small animals.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between chitter and chirp?
Both chitter and chirp are relatively informal words. They are commonly used in casual conversations and informal writing to describe the sounds made by small animals.
