Stammer - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A stammer is a speech disorder where a person repeats or prolongs sounds, syllables, or words, causing interruptions in fluent speech. It often involves hesitation or difficulty speaking smoothly.
Definition:
To speak with involuntary pauses or repetitions, often due to nervousness or speech impediment.
Synonyms:
stutter, falter, hesitate
Part of Speech:
verb, noun
Antonyms:
articulate, enunciate
Common Collocations:
nervous stammer, slight stammer, overcome a stammer
Derivatives:
stammerer, stammering
Usage Tips:
Use "stammer" to describe hesitant speech; it often implies difficulty rather than deliberate pauses.
Common Phrases:
stammer out an apology, stammer through a speech
Etymology:
From Old English "stamerian," meaning to stumble or hesitate in speech.
Examples:
- 1. He began to stammer when asked a difficult question.
- 2. Her stammer made public speaking challenging.
- 3. The child tried hard not to stammer during the recital.
- 4. He managed to stammer out an apology.