Word
stuttering
Phoneticsstut·ter·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈstətɝɪŋ/
UK/stˈʌtəɹɪŋ/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a way of speaking where you repeat sounds or have trouble starting a word. It often happens when someone is nervous or has a speech condition.
n. a speech disorder or habit characterised by involuntary repetitions, prolongations, or blocks of sounds and syllables. Uncountable when referring to the condition generally; countable when referring to specific instances of the behaviour.
Examples
“His stuttering becomes more noticeable when he is tired.”
“The therapist worked with the child to reduce his stuttering through breathing exercises and slow speech techniques.”
“Despite his severe stuttering during childhood, he eventually became a renowned public speaker by mastering techniques that allowed him to manage his fluency in high-pressure environments.”
Examples
simple
“His stuttering becomes more noticeable when he is tired.”
contextual
“The therapist worked with the child to reduce his stuttering through breathing exercises and slow speech techniques.”
complex
“Despite his severe stuttering during childhood, he eventually became a renowned public speaker by mastering techniques that allowed him to manage his fluency in high-pressure environments.”
Usage
Often functions as a gerund noun describing the act or condition of dysfluent speech.
Real-World Examples
“After a stuttering run up, the 33-year-old guided the ball into the bottom right of the goal, past the fingertips of Ostbo.” “Show Leicester ’s stuttering start to life in League One continued with a 4-0 home defeat by Oxford .” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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