stuttering

1 of 2

noun

stut·​ter·​ing ˈstə-tər-iŋ How to pronounce stuttering (audio)
: a disorder of vocal communication marked by involuntary disruption or blocking of speech (as by abnormal repetition, prolongation, or stoppage of vocal sounds) : disfluency

stuttering

2 of 2

present participle of stutter entry 1

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The one without an AirJet was a stuttering slideshow at barely a single frame per second, while the other was cracking 9, 10, even 11fps. Sean Hollister, The Verge, 23 May 2023 In these previously unpublished stories, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrightoffers spirited sketches of Depression-era America through characters navigating stuttering careers, steamy affairs and new beginnings. New York Times, 12 Apr. 2023 The first suggestion that stuttering might be neurological came in 1928. Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2021 Removing our feet from the pedals and leaving the hard work to the software, the car crawled downhill at about 4 mph, alternately increasing and decreasing brake pressure with a stuttering action, occasionally adding throttle and diverting torque as needed with remarkable efficacy. Andrew Wendler, Car and Driver, 9 May 2023 Joe Biden, who occasionally stumbles over his words (apparently an artifact of his youthful stuttering)? Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2023 But the stuttering shock that sent Shiv, Roman and Kendall into the emotions, posture and even voices of childhood was universal. Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2023 The exact cause of stuttering is still unknown. Xiaofan Lei, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2022 No stuttering! Andy Kessler, WSJ, 2 May 2021 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1595, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stuttering was in 1595

Dictionary Entries Near stuttering

Cite this Entry

“Stuttering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stuttering. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.

Medical Definition

stuttering

noun
1
: the act of one who stutters
2
: a disorder of vocal communication marked by involuntary disruption or blocking of speech (as by abnormal repetition, prolongation, or stoppage of vocal sounds) : disfluency
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!