fluttering
Wings beating fast
Fluttering describes rapid, light, irregular movement—the motion of wings, flags, or leaves stirring in a breeze: curtains fluttering in the wind.
A fluttering heart beats rapidly from excitement or anxiety.
Eyelashes flutter when batted coyly.
The word captures movement that is quick but gentle, never heavy or forceful.
Winged insect from caterpillar
- mothNight-flying lepidopteran
- hummingbirdSmall nectar-feeding hoverer
- dragonflyLarge-eyed flying predator
- beeStinging nectar gatherer
wingbeat · hover · flit · glide · swoop · beating · whirring · buzzing
Filmy, delicate material
- chiffonDelicate transparent textile
- tulleFine net fabric
- silkFine woven insect fiber
- laceOpen-weave ornamental fabric
feathers · petals · veil · eyelashes · butterfly · moth · wisps · dandelion
Plant's leafy covering
- branchesLimbs of trees
- treetopsUppermost forest branches
- canopyOverhead protective covering
- rustlingSoft crackling noise
swaying · quivering · trembling · breeze · wind · autumn · maple · aspen
Persistent apprehensive distress
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
- jittersNervous agitation
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- uneaseMild persistent worry
trepidation · restlessness · agitation · nerves · worry · anticipation · stomach · queasy
Displayed strip with message
- pennantTapering nautical flag
- buntingFestive decorative fabric
- ensignFlag or junior officer
- standardLevel of quality accepted
pennon · windsock · streamers · kite · prayer flags · ribbons · mast · pole
Awareness of abnormal heartbeat
- pulseArterial blood throb
- throbBeat with intensity
- arrhythmiaAbnormal cardiac rhythm
- tachycardiaExcessively fast pulse
fibrillation · ectopic · racing · skipping · quickening · pounding · irregular · rapid
State of awaiting something
- thrillSurge of intense excitement
- giddinessLightheaded, excitable state
- eagernessIntense willingness to act
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
elation · heart · stomach · quickening · breathless · tingle · rush · swooning
butterfly
Winged insect from caterpillar
- mothNight-flying lepidopteran
- hummingbirdSmall nectar-feeding hoverer
- dragonflyLarge-eyed flying predator
bee · wingbeat · hover · flit · glide · swoop · beating · whirring · buzzing · iridescent
gossamer
Filmy, delicate material
lace · feathers · petals · veil · eyelashes · butterfly · moth · wisps · dandelion · cobweb
foliage
Plant's leafy covering
rustling · swaying · quivering · trembling · breeze · wind · autumn · maple · aspen · birch
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
- jittersNervous agitation
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
unease · trepidation · restlessness · agitation · nerves · worry · anticipation · stomach · queasy · trembling
banner
Displayed strip with message
standard · pennon · windsock · streamers · kite · prayer flags · ribbons · mast · pole · hoist
palpitations
Awareness of abnormal heartbeat
- pulseArterial blood throb
- throbBeat with intensity
- arrhythmiaAbnormal cardiac rhythm
tachycardia · fibrillation · ectopic · racing · skipping · quickening · pounding · irregular · rapid · faint
anticipation
State of awaiting something
- thrillSurge of intense excitement
- giddinessLightheaded, excitable state
- eagernessIntense willingness to act
exhilaration · elation · heart · stomach · quickening · breathless · tingle · rush · swooning · romantic
- bird traitsfeathered, plumed, plumage, plumaged, beaky
- movementwalk, move, go, run, jump
- bird behaviorsflying, soaring, perching, nesting, migrating
- bodily sensationspain, ache, tingling, burning, numbness
- dance qualitiesfluidity, graceful, musicality, rhythmic, grace
- flirtingpickup line, wink, winking, hair flip, chat-up line
flutteringstill
Unmoving, or continuing
motionless · stationary · steady · fixed · immobile