1 stammer | Definition of stammer

stammer

verb
stam·​mer | \ ˈsta-mər How to pronounce stammer (audio) \
stammered; stammering\ ˈsta-​mə-​riŋ How to pronounce stammering (audio) , ˈstam-​riŋ \

Definition of stammer

intransitive verb

: to make involuntary stops and repetitions in speaking : stutter

transitive verb

: to utter with involuntary stops or repetitions

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Other Words from stammer

stammer noun
stammerer \ ˈsta-​mər-​ər How to pronounce stammerer (audio) \ noun

Examples of stammer in a Sentence

“I d-don't know what you're talking about!” she stammered. He stammered an excuse and fled.

Recent Examples on the Web

Before long, Jeff Goldblum, playing the chaos theorist Ian Malcolm, was pausing, stammering and charming his way through lines about the unpredictability of nature in Jurassic Park. Wired, "These Hidden Women Helped Invent Chaos Theory," 26 May 2019 As Alceste, Elliott Kashner fumes and stammers with disgust, often while dangling a couplet’s final word for comic effect. Nelson Pressley, Washington Post, "‘A Misanthrope’ brings Molière’s fabulous fakes into the 21st century," 5 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stammer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of stammer

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

History and Etymology for stammer

Middle English stameren, from Old English stamerian; akin to Old High German stamalōn to stammer, Old Norse stemma to hinder, damn up — more at stem

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More Definitions for stammer

stammer

verb

English Language Learners Definition of stammer

: to speak with many pauses and repetitions because you have a speech problem or because you are very nervous, frightened, etc.

stammer

verb
stam·​mer | \ ˈsta-mər How to pronounce stammer (audio) \
stammered; stammering

Kids Definition of stammer

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to speak with involuntary stops and much repeating

stammer

noun

Kids Definition of stammer (Entry 2 of 2)

: an act or instance of speaking with involuntary stops and much repeating
stam·​mer | \ ˈstam-ər How to pronounce stammer (audio) \
stammered; stammering\ -​(ə-​)riŋ How to pronounce stammering (audio) \

Medical Definition of stammer

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to make involuntary stops and repetitions in speaking : stutter

stammer

noun

Medical Definition of stammer (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an act or instance of stammering
2 : the habitual tendency to stammer a severe stammer : stammering sense 2

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More from Merriam-Webster on stammer

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with stammer

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stammer

Spanish Central: Translation of stammer

Nglish: Translation of stammer for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of stammer for Arabic Speakers

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