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twerp. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
twerp, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
twerp in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
twerp you have here. The definition of the word
twerp will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
twerp, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Of uncertain origin; originally British slang of the 1910s. In a letter, dated 6 October 1944, J. R. R. Tolkien mentions a contemporary of his at Oxford University T.W. Earp, calling him "the original twerp"; but no corroborating evidence for this etymology has come to light. Other suggestions include: a clipping of Antwerp (“type of racing pigeon that flew between Antwerp and London”); the onomatopoeic twirp (“imitation of the sound of a bird”); a dialectal variant of dwarf (compare Middle English dwerf); Welsh twp (“a fool”).
Pronunciation
Noun
twerp (plural twerps) (colloquial)
- (UK) A fool, a twit.
- Synonyms: twit, git
Now you've broken it, you twerp!
- (US, childish) A small or puny person; one regarded as insignificant, contemptible.
- Synonyms: twerk; see also Thesaurus:worthless person
Get out of my way, you little twerp!
- (US, childish) A person who can be bullied playfully, or easily teased. Sometimes used as a pet-name (often for a younger sibling).
Translations
a small or puny person; one regarded as insignificant, contemptible
a person who can be bullied playfully, or easily teased
References