stutter

UK: /ˈstʌtə^r/ US: /ˈstʌtɚ/ ,(stut′ər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

stut•ter /ˈstʌtɚ/   v., 

1. to speak with the rhythm interrupted by repetitions, blocks, or spasms, or prolongations of sounds or syllables: [no object]
   He stuttered when he spoke.
   [used with quotations]
   "Wha-..wha-..what do you mean?'' he stuttered.

n. [countable]

2. an act or instance of stuttering.
3. stuttering speech.

stut•ter•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

stut•ter  (stut′ər), v.t., v.i. 

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.

n. 

2. distorted speech characterized principally by blocks or spasms interrupting the rhythm.

• 1520–30; earlier stut (Middle English stutten to stutter) + -er⁶; compare Dutch stotteren, Middle Low German stotern in same sense

stut′ter•er, n. 
stut′ter•ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. See stammer. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

stutter / 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

Etymology: 16th Century: related to Middle Low German stötern, Old High German stōzan to push against, Latin tundere to beat

ˈstutterer noun

ˈstuttering noun , adjective

ˈstutteringly adverb