English Explanatory Dictionary

stammer

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To keep repeating a particular sound involuntarily during speech.
  2. To utter with a stammer, or with timid hesitancy.
noun
  1. The involuntary repetition of a sound in speech.
  2. A speech defect whereby someone speaks with a stammer
name
  1. A surname from German.

Pronunciation

/ˈstæmə/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-stammer.wav /ˈstæmɚ/

Word forms

stammer stammers stammering stammered

Etymology

From Middle English stameren, from Old English stamerian, from Proto-West Germanic *stamrōn, from Proto-Germanic *stamrōną (“to stammer”). Compare German stammeln, Dutch stameren, Old Norse stammr. Doublet of stumble.

Synonyms

balbucinate balbutiate croak drawl falter gibber hacker hammer haw hesitate hum and haw jabber mince mouth muffle mumble mump mutter splutter sputter stammer stutter

Antonyms

annunciate articulate

Derived words

stammerer stammeringly stammery unstammering
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