teeter

[ tee-ter ]

/ ˈti tər /

Chiefly Northern U.S.

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See synonyms for: teeter / teetered / teetering on Thesaurus.com

Definition of teeter

verb (used without object)

to move unsteadily.

to ride a seesaw; teetertotter.

verb (used with object)

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

noun

a seesaw motion; wobble.

a seesaw; teetertotter.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

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Origin of teeter

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use teeter in a sentence

Stacks of bankers boxes stuffed with documents teetered in one corner.
Bill de Blasio Mayoral Win Signals Working Families Party Ascendancy|David Freedlander|November 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The girls teetered in their too-high heels and tittered with excitement, while the boys feigned a cool nonchalance.
Teen Moms’ Graduation Triumph|Jesse Ellison|July 29, 2011|DAILY BEAST
You two seemed to have really magnetic chemistry in the first season, but it's really teetered off since.
DJ Pauly D Sounds Off|Marlow Stern|March 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Gibbs' banter with the press usually teetered somewhere between antagonistic and playful—when not managing to be both at once.
Robert Gibbs Leaving White House: Watch Video of His Best Moments|Shannon Donnelly|January 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST

In the month since elections produced not one but two presidents, the country has teetered on the abyss of violence.
Civil War Looms in Ivory Coast|Firouzeh Afsharnia|January 3, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He got up, planted both feet on it and teetered back and forth, chuckling up at Bud with his eyes squinted.
Cabin Fever|B. M. Bower
For a moment the machine teetered, its wheels spinning wildly.
The Status Civilization|Robert Sheckley
"Well—" He teetered a little on his feet and stroked his mustache.
Hidden Gold|Wilder Anthony
He saw Darl strike its edge, bit his lip as his friend teetered on the rim and swayed slowly outward.
The Great Dome on Mercury|Arthur Leo Zagat
Aggie teetered joyously, the while she inhaled a shockingly large mouthful of smoke.
Within the Law|Marvin Dana

British Dictionary definitions for teeter

teeter

/ (ˈtiːtə) /

verb

to move or cause to move unsteadily; wobble

noun, verb

another word for seesaw

Word Origin for teeter

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

teeter

Definition of teeter

Origin of teeter

Words related to teeter

How to use teeter in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for teeter

Word Origin for teeter