tongue-tied

American  

[tuhng-tahyd] / ˈtʌŋˌtaɪd /

adjective

1. unable to speak, as from shyness, embarrassment, or surprise.

2. affected with tongue-tie.

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tongue-tied British  

adjective

1. speechless, esp with embarrassment or shyness

2. having a condition of tongue-tie

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Etymology

Origin of tongue-tied

First recorded in 1520–30; tongue + tie ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Still others remained tongue-tied about the “quandary” at hand, as Florida Sen. Marco Rubio put it.

From Slate • Feb. 27, 2024

Speech production is a complex neural phenomenon that has left researchers explaining it tongue-tied.

From Science Daily • Oct. 11, 2023

“And not just Boyle Heights, but the whole district. It’s a pot of mixtures ...” she continued, then stopped, tongue-tied.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2023

During our studio visit, Bradford turned uncharacteristically tongue-tied when he tried to articulate the sculpture’s relationship to that period.

From New York Times • Apr. 19, 2023

“I’ll get tongue-tied, and Kate will get steamed. It has to be you, Reynie.”

From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart