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 The Democrat still seems a bit unsettled to my eye — pausing, occasionally stammering over his words, peering down, scribbling notes. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024 Leonard modulates her tones to capture the many other characters, including the subtly stammering Claudius, and does it so deftly that there is no confusion about who is speaking when. Katherine A. Powers, Washington Post, 18 July 2024 Related Stories Related Story 'The Bob Newhart Show,' 40 Years Later: An Oral History of TV's Game-Changing Comedy Newhart’s pauses and stammering were among his trademarks, and his wry observations were a result of his observant nature. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 July 2024 The paramedics stammered, thinking they were being scolded for being too close. Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 1 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for stammer 

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 31 Oct. 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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