Definition

1. Noun:

   • A seesaw; a long, narrow board supported by a single pivot point at its center, allowing children to sit on opposite ends and move up and down alternately. It is a common piece of playground equipment.

2. Verb:

   • To ride or play on a seesaw; to move up and down in the manner of a seesaw.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The children took turns on the teetertotter in the park.
  • The old wooden teetertotter squeaked with every movement.

• Verb:

  • The sisters love to teetertotter for hours.
  • We watched the kids teetertotter on the playground equipment.

Advanced Usage

• The verb can be used figuratively to describe a back-and-forth or unstable situation.
  • The stock prices teetertottered throughout the volatile trading day.
  • Their relationship teetertottered between friendship and romance.

Variants and Related Words

• Seesaw (n. & v.): The more common and standard term for a teetertotter. It is often used interchangeably.
• Teeterboard (n.): A less common variant.
• Teeter (v.): To move or balance unsteadily; to sway back and forth. This is the root verb from which "teetertotter" is derived.

Synonyms

• Seesaw (n. & v.)
• Teeterboard (n.)
• Dandle board (n., regional/archaic)

Related Phrases

• Teeter on the brink/edge of (something): To be very close to being in a particular (often negative) state.
  • The company is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.
• Teeter-totter (n. & v.): An alternative spelling with a hyphen.

Noun

1. a plaything consisting of a board balanced on a fulcrum; the board is ridden up and down by children at either end

Verb

1. ride on a plank