A twig is a small, thin branch that grows from a larger branch of a tree or shrub. Twigs are usually narrow enough to snap easily in your hands, unlike thicker branches that require a saw to cut. When you walk through a forest, you might hear the snap and crackle of twigs breaking under your feet.

Birds often use twigs to build their nests, weaving them together with grass and mud to create a sturdy home. In winter, you can see the bare twigs of deciduous trees reaching toward the sky like delicate fingers. Some animals, like deer and rabbits, nibble on twigs when other food is scarce.

People sometimes use the phrase “snap like a twig” to describe something that breaks very easily. If someone says a person is “thin as a twig,” they mean that person is very skinny. Twigs are also useful for starting campfires, since they catch fire more quickly than thick logs and help get the flames going.