stammer

verb

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

intransitive verb

: to make involuntary stops and repetitions in speaking : stutter

transitive verb

: to utter with involuntary stops or repetitions
stammer noun
stammerer 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 Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, a stammering bachelor professor of mathematics at Oxford University, was a gifted amateur exponent of the fledgling art of photography and a man of profound religious beliefs and bounding imagination. Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2024 Despite playing an unworldly, stammering goof on television, Tommy was the more liberal and politically driven of the two behind the scenes, pushing their comedy in a direction that gently skewered American culture, religion and the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 27 Dec. 2023 Using that measuring stick, Richardson and Hardy are properly vulnerable and likable, delivering the requisite sweet, stammering chemistry to sell the attraction. Brian Lowry, CNN, 15 Sep. 2023 The young actor broke down in tears before stammering out his thank yous to the Venice jury. Alex Ritman, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2023 What at first looks like a lifeless brown grid begins to vibrate; thin lines stammer their way from one side of the canvas to the other. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2023 The witnesses who take the stand are nervous, stammering. Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 24 July 2023 When Freeze was asked about the talent gap between Auburn and some of the the leaders in the league, he was left tiptoeing and stammering. Ainslie Lee | Alee@al.com, al, 24 July 2023 Her future husband was among the musicians leading the bossa nova movement, using a style known as violão gago, or stammering guitar. Brian Murphy, Washington Post, 6 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stammer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of stammer was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near stammer

Cite this Entry

“Stammer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stammer. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stammer

1 of 2 verb
stam·​mer
ˈstam-ər
stammered; stammering
-(ə-)riŋ
: to speak or utter with involuntary stops and much repeating
stammerer
-ər-ər
noun

stammer

2 of 2 noun
: an act or instance of stammering

Medical Definition

stammer

1 of 2 intransitive verb
stam·​mer ˈstam-ər How to pronounce stammer (audio)
stammered; stammering -(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce stammer (audio)
: to make involuntary stops and repetitions in speaking : stutter

stammer

2 of 2 noun
1
: an act or instance of stammering
2
: the habitual tendency to stammer
a severe stammer
: stammering sense 2
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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