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Teeter Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿคนโ€โ™‚๏ธ
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teeter

[หˆtiหtษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

movement, balance

To teeter means to move or balance unsteadily or to sway back and forth. It often describes a precarious balance, as if on the edge of falling.

Synonyms

oscillate, sway, totter, wobble.

Examples of usage

  • The toddler began to teeter as he took his first steps.
  • She teetered on high heels, trying to keep her balance.
  • The stack of books teetered dangerously on the edge of the table.
Context #2 | Noun

unsteady movement

Teeter can also refer to an unsteady or precarious position. It signifies the act of wobbling or a precarious balance.

Synonyms

shake, stagger, teetering.

Examples of usage

  • The teeter of the bicycle made her nervous.
  • His teeter on the edge made everyone hold their breath.
  • The child was on a teeter, trying to keep his balance.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'teeter'

The word 'teeter' originates from the early 19th century, derived from the verb 'teter' which was likely a variant of 'teeter-totter', a term used for a seesaw. The usage of the term captures the essence of instability and precarious balance, often reflecting a sense of playfulness. The notion of teetering is often associated with childhood experiences and the innocent dangers of learning to balance oneself physically. Historically, the evolution of the word has maintained its focus on the unsteady movement indicative of a situation that is likely to change suddenly. The combination of sounds in 'teeter' gives a light, airy quality that complements its meaning, painting a picture of a gentle wobbling motion, without heavy implications. Over time, it has been colloquially adopted to describe situations beyond physical balance, often metaphorically referring to other forms of instability in life.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,656 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.