stutter

/ˈstʌtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstʌtər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstə-tər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈstʌt.ər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstʌt̬.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)

stutter — verb

  • stutterpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • stuttershe / she / it
  • stutteredpast simple
  • stuttering-ing form

1. to get stuck while talking, often by repeating a sound or pausing before the res

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to get stuck while talking, often by repeating a sound or pausing before the rest of the word comes out.

例句

Liam stuttered through his apology after breaking the kitchen window.

stutter through + noun while speaking with difficulty

Yumi began to stutter when the class asked her to read aloud.

begin to stutter in a speaking situation

同義詞
  • stammer

    Very close in meaning, but more common in British English

  • falter

    Suggests speech losing confidence or strength rather than repeating sounds

  • stumble over your words

    More informal and often used for brief nervous speech

反義詞

文法句型

stutter

stutter + object

stutter over + words

stutter through + sentence

stutter out + word/name

用法筆記

This sense is used for speech itself or for the exact words someone is trying to say. Unlike verb/2, it describes difficulty producing speech, not a machine or process that keeps stopping and starting.

常見錯誤

❌He stuttered with his words during the speech.
✅He stuttered over his words during the speech.
💡Use 'over' or no preposition here, not 'with'.
❌Mina stuttered to speak her name.
✅Mina stuttered her name.
💡Use the word being said as the object instead of 'to speak'.

2. to stop and start again in short, uneven bursts instead of continuing smoothly.

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to stop and start again in short, uneven bursts instead of continuing smoothly.

例句

The old projector stuttered for a minute, then showed the film.

machine subject: stops and starts unevenly

Traffic stuttered along the bridge after the truck lost a wheel.

stutter along for uneven movement

同義詞
  • sputter

    Often suggests rough sound as well as irregular movement, especially in engines

  • falter

    Focuses on weakening or losing momentum rather than repeated jolts

  • jerk

    Describes sudden rough movement, often more physical and less repeated

反義詞

文法句型

stutter

stutter along

stutter to a stop

stutter and + verb

用法筆記

This sense is common for engines, devices, traffic, and plans that keep pausing and restarting. Unlike verb/1, it is not about trouble pronouncing words.

常見錯誤

❌The printer stuttered the page all morning.
✅The printer stuttered while printing pages all morning.
💡In this sense, the subject itself moves or works unevenly, so it does not take the page as a direct object.

stutter — noun