stammer
stammer Lexical Profile
stammer Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To speak with sudden involuntary pauses and a tendency to repeat the initial letters or syllables of words, either due to a speech condition or acute emotion.
"Caught off guard by the unexpected question, the witness began to stammer nervously."
• noun
A tendency or instance of speaking with involuntary pauses, blocks, or repetitions of sounds and syllables.
"With consistent speech therapy, the young boy gradually overcame his childhood stammer."
Word Nuance & Usage
While "stammer" and "stutter" are often used interchangeably, "stammer" more frequently describes temporary hesitation caused by nervousness or surprise, whereas "stutter" (especially in North American English) more commonly refers to a persistent speech condition.
• Rhymes for stammer
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English stamerian, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to stumble or falter in speech," related to German stammeln.