What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shimmying
Example
The dancer was shimmying to the beat of the music. [shimmying: verb]
Example
The athlete used a shimmying motion to dodge the defender and score a goal. [shimmying: gerund or present participle]
twitch
Example
She couldn't control the twitch in her eye during the interview. [twitch: noun]
Example
The fisherman felt a twitch on his line and quickly reeled it in. [twitch: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Twitch is more commonly used than shimmying in everyday language. Twitch is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while shimmying is less common and more specific to dance or sports.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between shimmying and twitch?
Both shimmying and twitch are informal words, but twitch is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while shimmying is more specific to casual or performance settings.