stutter

1 of 2

verb

stut·​ter ˈstə-tər How to pronounce stutter (audio)
stuttered; stuttering; stutters

intransitive verb

1
: to speak with involuntary disruption or blocking of speech (as by repetition or prolongation of vocal sounds)
2
: to move or act in a halting or spasmodic manner
the old jalopy bucks and stutters uphillWilliam Cleary

transitive verb

: to say, speak, or sound with or as if with a stutter
stutterer noun

stutter

2 of 2

noun

1
: an act or instance of stuttering
2
: the habitual tendency to stutter
had a mild stutter
: stuttering

Examples of stutter in a Sentence

Verb I used to stutter when I was a child. She stutters when she gets excited.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
By Harry Booth October 30, 2024 7:15 AM EDT As someone who stutters, Joris Castermans, the CEO and founder of Dutch startup Whispp, knew whispering helps with fluency. Harry Booth, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024 The claim: Video shows Kamala Harris slurring her words while drunk during a speech A Sept. 22 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) includes a video of Vice President Kamala Harris speaking slowly and stuttering in front of an audience. Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 24 Sep. 2024
Noun
This creates a major internal conflict for Celeste, who develops a nervous stutter except around Shooter and plans to run away with him on the morning of her wedding. Jordana Comiter, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2024 The monitor even has AMD FreeSync Premium which will minimize screen tearing and stutter, for a seamless gameplay experience. Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 25 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for stutter 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

frequentative of English dialect stut to stutter, from Middle English stutten; akin to Dutch stotteren to stutter, Goth stautan to strike — more at contusion

First Known Use

Verb

1566, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of stutter was in 1566

Dictionary Entries Near stutter

Cite this Entry

“Stutter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stutter. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

stutter

1 of 2 verb
stut·​ter ˈstət-ər How to pronounce stutter (audio)
: to speak in an uneven way with involuntary repeating or interruption of sounds
stutterer noun

stutter

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act or instance of stuttering
2
: a speech disorder involving stuttering

Medical Definition

stutter

1 of 2 intransitive verb
stut·​ter ˈstət-ər How to pronounce stutter (audio)
: to speak with involuntary disruption or blocking of speech (as by repetition or prolongation of vocal sounds)

transitive verb

: to say, speak, or sound with or as if with a stutter

stutter

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act or instance of stuttering
2
: the habitual tendency to stutter
had a mild stutter
: stuttering sense 2
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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