stammer

verb

stam·​mer ˈsta-mər 

stammered; stammering ˈsta-mə-riŋ 

ˈstam-riŋ

intransitive verb

: to make involuntary stops and repetitions in speaking : stutter

transitive verb

: to utter with involuntary stops or repetitions

stammer noun

stammerer

ˈsta-mər-ər 

noun

Examples of stammer in a Sentence

“I d-don't know what you're talking about!” she stammered.

He stammered an excuse and fled.

Recent Examples on the Web

After stammering for a moment, Boone raised his hands. —Chris Kirschner, The Athletic, 24 July 2024

Louis storms off after these revelations, and Armand, furious and terrified, follows him out of the room, stammering excuses. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 30 June 2024

The Democrat still seems a bit unsettled to my eye — pausing, occasionally stammering over his words, peering down, scribbling notes. —Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024

Leonard modulates her tones to capture the many other characters, including the subtly stammering Claudius, and does it so deftly that there is no confusion about who is speaking when. —Katherine A. Powers, Washington Post, 18 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English stameren, from Old English stamerian; akin to Old High German stamalōn to stammer, Old Norse stemma to hinder, damn up — more at stem

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

stammer

1 of 2 verb

stam·​mer

ˈstam-ər

stammered; stammering

-(ə-)riŋ

: to speak or utter with involuntary stops and much repeating

stammerer

-ər-ər

noun

stammer

2 of 2 noun

: an act or instance of stammering

Medical Definition

stammer

1 of 2 intransitive verb

stam·​mer ˈstam-ər 

stammered; stammering -(ə-)riŋ 

: to make involuntary stops and repetitions in speaking : stutter

stammer

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of stammering

2

: the habitual tendency to stammer

a severe stammer

: stammering sense 2