stammer

STA-muh

Stammer (verb) means to speak with involuntary repetitions or pauses, unable to get words out smoothly. Example: “He stammered an apology before rushing out of the room.”

verb

To speak with involuntary repetitions or pauses, unable to get words out smoothly.

"He stammered an apology before rushing out of the room."

"She stammers when she gets nervous in front of a crowd."

noun

A speech pattern marked by involuntary repeated sounds or blocked words.

"He has had a stammer since childhood but rarely lets it hold him back."

How to use stammer

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo struggle to get words out smoothly, or the speech condition itself.

UK vs US

"Stammer" is the more common British English term; American English tends to prefer "stutter" for the same thing.

Easily confused with

stutter →

Word forms

stammered past tense, stammers plural, Stammers plural, stammers singular

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Fill the gap

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He _____ an apology before rushing out of the room.

Etymology

From Old English stamerian, related to German stammeln and a distant cousin of the word "stumble."

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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balbucinate balbutiate croak drawl falter gibber hacker hammer haw hesitate hum and haw jabber

Antonyms

annunciate articulate

Related words

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Rhymes for stammer

hammer Jammer rammer slammer programmer jackhammer sledgehammer

See all rhymes for stammer →

Frequently asked questions

What does “stammer” mean?

The word “stammer” means to speak with involuntary repetitions or pauses, unable to get words out smoothly. In plain terms, to struggle to get words out smoothly, or the speech condition itself.

How do you pronounce “stammer”?

“Stammer” is pronounced STA-muh (/ˈstæmɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “stammer” in a sentence?

Here is “stammer” used in a sentence: “He stammered an apology before rushing out of the room.”

What is another word for “stammer”?

Words with a similar meaning to “stammer” include balbucinate, balbutiate, croak, drawl, falter and gibber.

What is the opposite of “stammer”?

The opposite of “stammer” — its antonyms — are annunciate and articulate.

What part of speech is “stammer”?

Depending on how it is used, “stammer” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “stammer” come from?

The word “stammer” comes from Old English. From Old English stamerian, related to German stammeln and a distant cousin of the word "stumble.".

How many meanings does “stammer” have?

“Stammer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to speak with involuntary repetitions or pauses, unable to get words out smoothly.

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