stutter

[ stuht-er ]
See synonyms for stutter on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with or without object)
  1. to speak in such a way that the rhythm is interrupted by repetitions, blocks or spasms, or prolongations of sounds or syllables, sometimes accompanied by contortions of the face and body.

noun
  1. disordered speech production characterized principally by blocks or spasms interrupting the rhythm.

Origin of stutter

1
First recorded in 1520–30; earlier stut (Middle English stutten “to stutter”) + -er6; compare Dutch stotteren, Middle Low German stotern in the same sense

synonym study For stutter

1. See stammer.

Other words from stutter

  • stut·ter·er, noun
  • stut·ter·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·stut·tered, adjective
  • un·stut·ter·ing, adjective

Words that may be confused with stutter

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for stutter

stutter

/ (ˈstʌtə) /


verb
  1. to speak (a word, phrase, etc) with recurring repetition of consonants, esp initial ones

  2. to make (an abrupt sound) repeatedly: the gun stuttered

noun
  1. the act or habit of stuttering

  2. a stuttering sound

Origin of stutter

1
C16: related to Middle Low German stötern, Old High German stōzan to push against, Latin tundere to beat

Derived forms of stutter

  • stutterer, noun
  • stuttering, noun, adjective
  • stutteringly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for stutter

stutter

[ stŭtər ]


  1. A speech disorder characterized by spasmodic repetition of the initial consonant or syllable of words and frequent pauses or prolongation of sounds.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.