hesitate
[ hez-i-teyt ]
verb (used without object),hes·i·tat·ed, hes·i·tat·ing.
to be reluctant or wait to act because of fear, indecision, or disinclination: She hesitated to take the job.
to have scruples or doubts; be unwilling: He hesitated to break the law.
to pause: I hesitated before reciting the next line.
to falter in speech; stammer: Embarrassment caused the speaker to hesitate.
Origin of hesitate
1First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin haesitātus “faltered,” past participle of haesitāre “to falter”; see hesitant
Other words for hesitate
Opposites for hesitate
Other words from hesitate
- hes·i·tat·er, hes·i·ta·tor, noun
- hes·i·tat·ing·ly, adverb
- pre·hes·i·tate, verb (used without object), pre·hes·i·tat·ed, pre·hes·i·tat·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for hesitate
hesitate
/ (ˈhɛzɪˌteɪt) /
verb(intr)
to hold back or be slow in acting; be uncertain
to be unwilling or reluctant (to do something)
to stammer or pause in speaking
Origin of hesitate
1C17: from Latin haesitāre, from haerēre to cling to
Derived forms of hesitate
- hesitater or hesitator, noun
- hesitatingly, adverb
- hesitation, noun
- hesitative, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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