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- DictionaryHes·i·tate/ˈhezəˌtāt/
verb
- 1. pause before saying or doing something, especially through uncertainty: "she hesitated, unsure of what to say"
The meaning of HESITATE is to hold back in doubt or indecision. How to use hesitate in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Hesitate.
to pause before you do or say something, often because you are uncertain or nervous about it: [ + to infinitive ] If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me. hesitant. adjective us / ˈhez·ɪ·tənt / [ + to infinitive ] The bank manager is hesitant to approve the loan. hesitation. noun [ U ] us / ˌhez·ɪˈteɪ·ʃən /
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.
to pause before you do or say something, often because you are uncertain or nervous about it: [ + to infinitive ] If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me. hesitant. adjective us / ˈhez·ɪ·tənt / [ + to infinitive ] The bank manager is hesitant to approve the loan. hesitation. noun [ U ] us / ˌhez·ɪˈteɪ·ʃən /
To hesitate is to pause before doing something, often out of concern or worry. If you're playing basketball and have a wide-open shot but don't take it right away, you hesitated. Maybe you felt too much pressure to shoot the ball. When people are nervous or worried, they tend to hesitate. Hesitating while speaking is common.
She never hesitated to speak her mind. (saying) if you delay in doing something you may lose a good opportunity. Definition of hesitate verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
1 day ago · 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.
