Other

hesitate

Syllabification: (hes·i·tate)

Definition of hesitate

[no object]

pause before saying or doing something, especially through uncertainty:she hesitated, unsure of what to say
[with infinitive] be reluctant to do something:he hesitated to spoil the mood by being inquisitive

Phrases

he who hesitates is lost: proverb delay or vacillation may have unfortunate or disastrous consequences.

early 17th century: from Latin haesitat- 'stuck fast, left undecided', from the verb haesitare, from haerere 'stick, stay'

Definition of hesitate in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words