stutter

American  

[stuht-er] / ˈstʌt ər /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to speak in such a way that the rhythm is interrupted by repetitions, blocks or spasms, or prolongations of sounds or syllables, sometimes accompanied by contortions of the face and body.

---

noun

1. disordered speech production characterized principally by blocks or spasms interrupting the rhythm.

stutter British  

/ ˈstʌtə /

verb

1. to speak (a word, phrase, etc) with recurring repetition of consonants, esp initial ones

2. to make (an abrupt sound) repeatedly

   the gun stuttered

---

noun

1. the act or habit of stuttering

2. a stuttering sound

stutter Scientific  

/ stŭt′ər /

1. A speech disorder characterized by spasmodic repetition of the initial consonant or syllable of words and frequent pauses or prolongation of sounds.

---

Usage

What does stutter mean? Stutter is to speak in a way in which the flow of speech is interrupted by repetitions, blocks, or prolonged sounds, as in He became so nervous that he started to stutter.Stutter also refers to this distortion of speech, as in My uncle was talking to the man with a stutter.The most commonly known form of stuttering is repetitions, either of partial words, as in I n-n-n-need water, or entire words, as in My-my-my back hurts.Two other forms of stuttering include prolonged sounds or syllables, as in Sssssshe is nice to me or blocks, which are stops when a person is struggling to get a word out.The word stammer is often used as a synonym for stutter, especially to describe temporary breaks in speech. However, stutter describes a wider range of speech distortions.Example: The girl hated speaking in front of the class because her shyness made her stutter and repeat her words.

Related Words

See stammer.

Other Word Forms

• stutterer noun
• stuttering noun
• stutteringly adverb
• unstuttered adjective
• unstuttering adjective

Etymology

Origin of stutter

First recorded in 1520–30; earlier stut ( Middle English stutten “to stutter”) + -er ⁶; compare Dutch stotteren, Middle Low German stotern in the same sense

Example Sentences

Polestar shares have fallen 96% since listing, with the company hit by losses amid the stuttering uptake of electric vehicles and the increasingly competitive market.

From The Wall Street Journal

My heart stutters, jumps around in concert with my butterflies, but I’m pretty sure they’re the good kind.

From Literature

These include the war in the Middle East, where millions of Nepalis find work, chronic unemployment and a stuttering economy within Nepal, and the RSP's lack of experience in office.

From BBC

"I have a speech impediment, I stutter, so for people who feel like they're not the 'typical' host, I want this to feel like a home."

From BBC

As major U.S. stock indexes buckle and stutter, many advisors are turning their attention to moves that can help shave back tax bills for 2026 or in future years.

From Barron's

Related Words

• sputter
• stammer