tongue-tie

1 of 2

verb

tongue-tied; tongue-tying; tongue-ties

transitive verb

: to deprive of speech or the power of distinct articulation

tongue-tie

2 of 2

noun

: a congenital defect characterized by limited mobility of the tongue due to a short frenulum

Examples of tongue-tie in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
But tongue-tie is thought to affect only about 7 percent of births. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2024 Due to their surprising connection, Jelly Roll was especially tongue-tied when Swift approached him at the music awards. Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024 Jelly says that even though Swift was the one to approach him at the Grammys, he was still left tongue-tied. Rachel Desantis, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024 The writer is superb at penning comedy but tongue-tied in real life, unable to hold down a relationship and now expecting his third child from a third different partner. John Hopewell, Variety, 18 Sep. 2024 Biden sometimes mumbled, got tongue-tied or lost his train of thought. Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 30 June 2024 When tongue-tie is thought to create breastfeeding difficulties, doctors can conduct a minor surgery called a frenotomy to snip the tissue and increase range of motion, though there has recently been some debate in pediatric medicine that this procedure is overprescribed. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2024 Routines would devolve into bickering, of an escalating volume, as Tom grew tongue-tied and irate in equal measure. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2023 The most jaded people in the world get very tongue-tied and really dumbfounded. Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from tongue-tied

First Known Use

Verb

1555, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tongue-tie was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near tongue-tie

Cite this Entry

“Tongue-tie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tongue-tie. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

tongue-tie

noun
: a congenital defect characterized by limited mobility of the tongue due to shortness of the frenulum : ankyloglossia

More from Merriam-Webster on tongue-tie

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!