tongue-tied
Americanadjective
-
speechless, esp with embarrassment or shyness
-
having a condition of tongue-tie
Etymology
Origin of tongue-tied
First recorded in 1520–30; tongue + tie ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Giamatti watchers may have a hard time imagining the actor tongue-tied.
From New York Times • Jan. 7, 2024
Speech production is a complex neural phenomenon that has left researchers explaining it tongue-tied.
From Science Daily • Oct. 11, 2023
“There wasn’t …” It was the first time I’d ever seen Harry tongue-tied.
From Slate • May 27, 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
The invitation was so unexpected that I blinked at her, tongue-tied, then glanced at James.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
