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totter
[ tot-er ]
/ ˈtɒt ər /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used without object)
to walk or go with faltering, unsteady steps: She tottered down the street in high heels, desperately fighting to stay vertical.
to sway or rock on the base or ground, as if about to fall: The tower seemed to totter in the wind.
to shake or tremble: a load that tottered.
to lack security or stability; threaten to collapse: The government was tottering.
noun
the act of tottering; an unsteady movement or gait.
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Origin of totter
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English toteren “to swing�; origin uncertain
synonym study for totter
1. See stagger.
OTHER WORDS FROM totter
tot·ter·er, nounWords nearby totter
toto caelo, Totowa, totsiens, Tottenham, Totten trust, totter, tottering, tottery, tottie, totting, totty
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use totter in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for totter
totter
/ (ˈtɒtə) /
verb (intr)
to walk or move in an unsteady manner, as from old age
to sway or shake as if about to fall
to be failing, unstable, or precarious
noun
the act or an instance of tottering
Derived forms of totter
totterer, nountottering, adjectivetotteringly, adverbtottery, adjectiveWord Origin for totter
C12: perhaps from Old English tealtrian to waver, and Middle Dutch touteren to stagger
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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