teeter

[tee-ter]

verb (used without object)

1. to move unsteadily.

2. to ride a seesaw; teetertotter.

verb (used with object)

1. to tip (something) up and down; move unsteadily.

noun

1. a seesaw motion; wobble.

2. a seesaw; teetertotter.

teeter

/ ˈtiːtə /

verb

1. to move or cause to move unsteadily; wobble

noun

1. another word for seesaw

Word History and Origins

Origin of teeter¹

1835–45; variant of dial. titter, Middle English titeren < Old Norse titra tremble; cognate with German zittern to tremble, quiver

Word History and Origins

Origin of teeter¹

C19: from Middle English titeren, related to Old Norse titra to tremble, Old High German zittarōn to shiver

Example Sentences

Traders are betting her focus on aggressive fiscal polices, supported by near-zero interest rates and structural overhauls, will add to the nation’s teetering debt pile.

Read more on Barron's

If it can’t get payments from tenants quickly enough to cover its debt needs, the company’s business model could teeter.

Read more on Barron's

A brown foal with a white stripe on its muzzle teetered on toothpick legs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In June, Russia's Minister for Economic Development, Maxim Reshetnikov, warned that the country's economy was teetering "on the brink of recession".

Read more on BBC

Shedding allies, the LGBTQ+ coalition teeters on the tail of this recent Quiet Pride, with public institutions that have been loudly supportive in the recent past intimidated into whispers, or all-out silence.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• dangle 
• falter 
• flutter 
• lurch 
• reel 
• seesaw 
• stagger 
• stumble 
• totter 
• tremble 
• waver