stammer

[ stam-er ]

verb (used without object)

1. to speak with involuntary breaks and pauses, or with spasmodic repetitions of syllables or sounds.

   Synonyms: falter, hesitate, pause

verb (used with object)

1. to say with a stammer (often followed by out ).

noun

1. a stammering mode of utterance.
2. a stammered utterance.

stammer

/ ˈstæmə /

verb

1. to speak or say (something) in a hesitant way, esp as a result of a speech disorder or through fear, stress, etc

noun

1. a speech disorder characterized by involuntary repetitions and hesitations

Derived Forms

• ˈstammerer, noun
• ˈstammering, nounadjective
• ˈstammeringly, adverb

Other Words From

• stam·mer·er noun
• stam·mer·ing·ly adverb
• un·stam·mer·ing adjective
• un·stam·mer·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of stammer¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English verb stammeren, Old English stamerian (cognate with German stammern ), equivalent to stam “stammering” + -erian -er ⁶; akin to Old Norse stamma “to stammer,” Gothic stams “stammering”

Word History and Origins

Origin of stammer¹

Old English stamerian ; related to Old Saxon stamarōn , Old High German stamm

Synonym Study

Stammer, stutter mean to speak with some form of difficulty. Stammer, the general term, suggests a speech disfluency that results in broken or inarticulate sounds and sometimes in complete stoppage of speech; it may be temporary, caused by sudden excitement, confusion, embarrassment, or other emotion, or it may be persistent and require speech therapy for its correction. Stutter, the parallel term preferred in technical usage, designates a broad range of speech production disturbances that produce spasmodic interruptions of the speech rhythm, repetitions, or prolongations of sounds or syllables: The child's stutter was no mere stammer of embarrassment.

Example Sentences

Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, Laven attended regular social events and in-person meetings which provided frequent opportunities to speak and helped provide the necessary practice for his stammer.

From Digiday

That’s the reality for Will Laven, an operations executive for Publicis Media, who has a stammer that has become accentuated as a direct result of the enforced remote working thrust on most industries in the last nine months.

From Digiday

That all warms up my stammer ready for when I have a meeting or a catch up with my team.

From Digiday

All she could stammer, however, was, “It would be an honor.”

From The Daily Beast

As an adult, I have heard people affecting a stammer or a stutter.

From The Daily Beast

This was the unhappy and astonishing birth of my stammer or at least my first gripping self-conscious awareness of it.

From The Daily Beast

But I also had an index in the back of my diary that explained that famul meant stutter of stammer.

From The Daily Beast

Malcolm was hardly able to stammer his acceptance of the appointment thus offered, but the General had no time for useless talk.

From Project Gutenberg

He becomes quiet and less boisterous only to stammer out some idle talk and some nonsense.

From Project Gutenberg

There was nothing in the question to make me blush and stammer, yet I did both.

From Project Gutenberg

We must pass over Peter as usual, or will you try again once more—I will not say to read, but to stammer through a sentence.

From Project Gutenberg

He began to stammer out something like gentleness, and something like reproof.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• sputter
• wobble

More About Stammer

What does stammer mean?

To stammer is to speak with involuntary breaks or pauses or involuntarily repeated words or parts of words. In text, it is often represented with hyphens, as in s-s-s-safe to represent a struggle to pronounce the s– sound.

A stammer is a way of speaking with a stammer, as in Kim spoke with a stammer, but it didn’t define him.

To stammer is also to say something with a stammer, as in Lawrence was so nervous during his presentation that he stammered out the first part of his speech.

Stutter is a synonym of stammer and is preferred in technical usage.

Example: Everytime we have to present to the board, I get so nervous that I start to stammer.

Where does stammer come from?

The first records of the term stammer come from before the year 1000. It comes from the Old English stamerian.

When you’re nervous, it’s natural to stammer a bit. Usually, as you calm down and speak for a few minutes, your speech will smooth out. Practicing a speech before giving it to an audience can help you feel less nervous and stammer less or not at all.

Beyond occasional stammering due to nervousness, stammering often results from a speech disorder. A person might be born with a condition or later suffer brain trauma from disease or injury, which can cause light to intrusive stammering. This type of stammering can produce a frustrated feeling over an inability to produce the proper syllable. It can be eased with speech therapy and speech exercises.

Sometimes listeners are impatient with a person who is stammering. This can make them more nervous. Patiently waiting for someone to finish their statement is the best way to support someone who is struggling to speak.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to stammer?

• stammerer (noun)
• stammeringly (adverb)
• unstammering (adjective)
• unstammeringly (adverb)

What are some synonyms for stammer?

• stutter
• sputter
• wobble

What are some words that often get used in discussing stammer?

• afraid
• hesitate
• nervous
• speech

How is stammer used in real life?

Stammering can happen occasionally, such as when you’re nervous, or regularly, as with a speech disorder.

It’s International Stammering Awareness Day. My stammer is part of me, but through constant work, doesn’t define me. 👊🏼 #ISAD2017

— Kelly Brown (@kellydrbrown) October 22, 2017

The Dodo in "Alice in Wonderland" is based on the author, Charles Dodgson, who had a stammer and would introduce himself as “Do-do-dogson.”

— UberFacts (@UberFacts) July 10, 2015

"It's up to us to tell our story in our way without stuttering, without stammering, without whispering, without apologies." Runoko Rashidi pic.twitter.com/H8cPkkqBU7

— Kentah Gwanjez (@GWANJEZ) December 3, 2021

 

Try using stammer!

True or False?

Only someone with a speech disorder stammers.