Totterer: meaning, definitions and examples

movement instability

A totterer is someone or something that moves unsteadily or with difficulty. This term often describes a person, typically a child or an elderly individual, who has trouble maintaining balance while walking. It can also refer to an object that wobbles or tips over easily. This kind of movement can be due to various reasons, including physical weakness or impairment, intoxication, or a surface that is uneven. Overall, the word conveys a sense of precariousness in movement, suggesting a risk of falling.

staggerer, unsteady person, wobbler

Examples of usage

• The totterer struggled to walk on the cobblestone path.

• She felt like a totterer after spinning in circles.

• The toddler was a totterer as he learned to take his first steps.