Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for totter

totter

[ tot-er ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to walk or go with faltering, unsteady steps:

    She tottered down the street in high heels, desperately fighting to stay vertical.

  2. to sway or rock on the base or ground, as if about to fall:

    The tower seemed to totter in the wind.

    Synonyms: waver

  3. to shake or tremble:

    a load that tottered.

    Synonyms: quiver, oscillate

  4. to lack security or stability; threaten to collapse:

    The government was tottering.



noun

  1. the act of tottering; an unsteady movement or gait.

totter

/ ˈtɒtə /

verb

  1. to walk or move in an unsteady manner, as from old age
  2. to sway or shake as if about to fall
  3. to be failing, unstable, or precarious
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


noun

  1. the act or an instance of tottering
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈtotteringly, adverb
  • ˈtotterer, noun
  • ˈtottery, adjective
  • ˈtottering, adjective
Discover More

Other Words From

  • tot·ter·er noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of totter1

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English toteren “to swing”; origin uncertain
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of totter1

C12: perhaps from Old English tealtrian to waver, and Middle Dutch touteren to stagger
Discover More

Synonym Study

See stagger.
Discover More

Example Sentences

His cheeks bright red, his chin wet with spittle, the helot would weave and stagger and totter until he passed out in the dirt.

In the long run, the regime might indeed begin to totter: This is the entire point.

Others, holding to the side of the building, felt with stupefaction the boards totter beneath their touch.

Another glass and another fifteen minutes; a third glass, and hour's walk; after which allowed to totter home, and breakfast.

They could see his feet totter; all held breath—the moat was very deep; he recovered, ran on.

There was a great shock, and the cabin seemed to totter on the brink of the chasm.

If the old almsfolk wished to pray to God daily, they might totter three-quarters of a mile up to the Minster.

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Totten trusttottering