STAMMER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does stammer mean? 

• STAMMER (noun)
  The noun STAMMER has 1 sense:

1. a speech disorder involving hesitations and involuntary repetitions of certain sounds

  Familiarity information: STAMMER used as a noun is very rare.

• STAMMER (verb)
  The verb STAMMER has 1 sense:

1. speak haltingly

  Familiarity information: STAMMER used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• STAMMER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A speech disorder involving hesitations and involuntary repetitions of certain sounds

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

stammer; stutter

Hypernyms ("stammer" is a kind of...):

defect of speech; speech defect; speech disorder (a disorder of oral speech)

Derivation:

stammer (speak haltingly)

• STAMMER (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they stammer    ... he / she / it stammers   
Past simple: stammered   
Past participle: stammered   
-ing form: stammering   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Speak haltingly

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

bumble; falter; stammer; stutter

Context example:

The speaker faltered when he saw his opponent enter the room

Hypernyms (to "stammer" is one way to...):

mouth; speak; talk; utter; verbalise; verbalize (express in speech)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

Sam and Sue stammer

Derivation:

stammer (a speech disorder involving hesitations and involuntary repetitions of certain sounds)

stammerer (someone who speaks with involuntary pauses and repetitions)

 Context examples 

She caught her breath and stammered, “I—I thought—I was given to understand that Yokohama was only a day’s sail away. It—”

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

I hazarded a bold flight, and said (not without stammering) that it was very bright to me then, though it had been very dark to me a minute before.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

He coloured, and stammered out an unintelligible reply.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Of course, I could only stammer out my thanks.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“But my fair lady,” she stammered, “what have I done? I have said no more than I heard.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“I hope—I hope you’re well,” she stammered.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"I hope I am learning to talk," he stammered.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

‘Why, what on earth does this mean, John?’ he stammered.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

‘This is very extraordinary conduct, Mr. Latimer,’ I stammered. ‘You must be aware that what you are doing is quite illegal.’

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"It's Father's friend. I'm so surprised to see you!" stammered Meg, feeling that she was in for a lecture now.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)