How to pronounce stagger
Say it like STAG-er. Stagger has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STAG).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce stagger. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- STAG
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Stagger pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- STAGSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of stagger
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: STAG-uh.
What does stagger mean?
- In standing or walking, to sway from one side to the other as if about to fall; to stand or walk unsteadily; to reel or totter.“She began to stagger across the room.”
- To cause to reel or totter.“The powerful blow of his opponent's fist staggered the boxer.”
- To cease to stand firm; to begin to give way; to fail.
- An unsteady movement of the body in walking or standing as if one were about to fall; a reeling motion.“the stagger of a drunken man”
- A disease of horses and other animals, attended by reeling, unsteady gait or sudden falling.“parasitic staggers”
- Bewilderment; perplexity.
- One who attends a stag night.
Where does stagger come from?
From Middle English stakeren, from Old Norse stakra (“to push, stagger”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with stagger
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of stagger.
Questions about saying stagger
How do you pronounce stagger?
Say STAG-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈstæɡɚ/. In British English it is /ˈstæɡə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in stagger?
Stagger has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (STAG). Broken into parts: STAG · er.
Is stagger pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈstæɡə/ (STAG-uh).