totter

[ tot-er ]

verb (used without object)

1. to walk or go with faltering, unsteady steps:

   She tottered down the street in high heels, desperately fighting to stay vertical.

2. to sway or rock on the base or ground, as if about to fall:

   The tower seemed to totter in the wind.

   Synonyms: waver

3. to shake or tremble:

   a load that tottered.

   Synonyms: quiver, oscillate

4. to lack security or stability; threaten to collapse:

   The government was tottering.

noun

1. the act of tottering; an unsteady movement or gait.

totter

/ ˈtɒtə /

verb

1. to walk or move in an unsteady manner, as from old age
2. to sway or shake as if about to fall
3. to be failing, unstable, or precarious

noun

1. the act or an instance of tottering

Derived Forms

• ˈtotteringly, adverb
• ˈtottering, adjective
• ˈtottery, adjective
• ˈtotterer, noun

Other Words From

• tot·ter·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of totter¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English toteren “to swing”; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of totter¹

C12: perhaps from Old English tealtrian to waver, and Middle Dutch touteren to stagger

Synonym Study

See stagger.

Example Sentences

His cheeks bright red, his chin wet with spittle, the helot would weave and stagger and totter until he passed out in the dirt.

From The Daily Beast

In the long run, the regime might indeed begin to totter: This is the entire point.

From The Daily Beast

Others, holding to the side of the building, felt with stupefaction the boards totter beneath their touch.

From Project Gutenberg

Another glass and another fifteen minutes; a third glass, and hour's walk; after which allowed to totter home, and breakfast.

From Project Gutenberg

They could see his feet totter; all held breath—the moat was very deep; he recovered, ran on.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a great shock, and the cabin seemed to totter on the brink of the chasm.

From Project Gutenberg

If the old almsfolk wished to pray to God daily, they might totter three-quarters of a mile up to the Minster.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• careen
• lurch
• teeter
• wobble