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. )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tongue-tied

Even when she became tongue-tied and had to laugh her way out of it, her slips became endearing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

At times, Raman was tongue-tied trying to answer simple questions.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026

Giamatti watchers may have a hard time imagining the actor tongue-tied.

From New York Times ● Jan. 7, 2024

“There wasn’t …” It was the first time I’d ever seen Harry tongue-tied.

From Slate ● May 27, 2023

He hung his head, feeling tongue-tied and naive.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

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