teeter

[ tee-ter ]

verb (used without object)

1. to move unsteadily.
2. to ride a seesaw; teetertotter.

verb (used with object)

1. to tip (something) up and down; move unsteadily.

noun

1. a seesaw motion; wobble.
2. a seesaw; teetertotter.

teeter

/ ˈtiːtə /

verb

1. to move or cause to move unsteadily; wobble

noun

1. another word for seesaw

Word History and Origins

Origin of teeter¹

1835–45; variant of dial. titter, Middle English titeren < Old Norse titra tremble; cognate with German zittern to tremble, quiver

Word History and Origins

Origin of teeter¹

C19: from Middle English titeren, related to Old Norse titra to tremble, Old High German zittarōn to shiver

Example Sentences

As James Harden sat on the bench in the fourth quarter, watching his team teeter, he would lean forward and look at the coaching staff.

From Los Angeles Times

These creatures teeter on the edge of life and death, and this was just the latest in a string of near-misses.

From BBC

Without the cutesy thought-bubbles of his lasagna-loving cat, Jon’s observations seem to teeter between existential crisis and deep despair.

From New York Times

Although AI can help consumers find more useful products in the daily lives, there’s also a dark side to the technology’s allure that can teeter into coercion, Sevilla said.

From Los Angeles Times

I teeter back and forth, but my diet is really clean now.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dangle
• falter
• flutter
• lurch
• reel
• seesaw
• stagger
• stumble
• totter
• tremble
• waver