Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   hesitate

   /ˈhɛzɪteɪt/

   verb

   • 1. pause in indecision before saying or doing something: "she hesitated, unsure of what to say" Similar pausedelayhang backwaitshilly-shallyditherstalltemporizebe in two mindsbe in a quandarybe in a dilemmabe on the horns of a dilemmabe uncertainbe hesitantbe unsurebe doubtfulbe indecisiveequivocatevacillateoscillatewaverhave second thoughtshaverhum and hawswitherinformal:dilly-dallyblow hot and coldOpposite be resolutebe certain
   • ▪ be reluctant to do something: "he hesitated to spoil the mood by being inquisitive" Similar be reluctantbe unwillingbe disinclinedscruplehave misgivings abouthave qualms aboutbe ambivalent aboutfeel uneasy aboutshrink fromdemur fromhang back fromthink twice aboutbe diffident aboutbalk atboggle atOpposite be willing

   Word Origin early 17th century: from Latin haesitat- ‘stuck fast, left undecided’, from the verb haesitare, from haerere ‘stick, stay’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. hesitater noun
   • 2. hesitative adjective

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • H

     4

   • E

     1

   • S

     1

   • I

     1

   • T

     1

   • A

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

     1

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishHESITATE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   HESITATE definition: 1. to pause before you do or say something, often because you are uncertain or nervous about it…. Learn more.

3. www.dictionary.com › browse › hesitateHESITATE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › hesitate

   • Cached

   to be reluctant or wait to act because of fear, indecision, or disinclination: She hesitated to take the job. Synonyms: falter, vacillate, waver. Antonyms: decide. to have scruples or doubts; be unwilling: He hesitated to break the law. to pause: I hesitated before reciting the next line.

4. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › hesitateHESITATE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › hesitate

   • Cached

   If you hesitate, you pause slightly while you are doing something or just before you do it, usually because you are uncertain, embarrassed, or worried.

5. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitionhesitate verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition

   • Cached

   Definition of hesitate verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

6. www.thefreedictionary.com › hesitateHesitate - definition of hesitate by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › hesitate

   • Cached

   1. to be reluctant to act because of fear, indecision, or disinclination. 2. to have scruples or doubts about something. 3. to stop for a moment; pause. 4. to stammer. v.t. 5. to have scruples or doubts about: He hesitated to break the law.

7. dictionary.cambridge.org › hesitateHESITATE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › hesitate

   • Cached

   HESITATE definition: 1. to pause before doing something, especially because you are nervous or not certain: 2. to be…. Learn more.

8. www.yourdictionary.com › hesitateHesitate Definition & Meaning - YourDictionary

   www.yourdictionary.com › hesitate

   • Cached

   Hesitate Definition. To stop because of indecision; pause or delay in acting, choosing, or deciding because of feeling unsure; waver. To pause; stop momentarily.