tongue-tied

American  

[tuhng-tahyd] / ˈtʌŋˌtaɪd /

adjective

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

2. affected with tongue-tie.

---

tongue-tied British  

adjective

1. speechless, esp with embarrassment or shyness

2. having a condition of tongue-tie

---

Etymology

Origin of tongue-tied

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

Example Sentences

Titled Shy, it describes how Rapp became tongue-tied around the British musician when they toured together in 2023.

From BBC • Jul. 24, 2025

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

It must have been only publicly that the nation was tongue-tied.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck