falter

American  

[fawl-ter] / ˈfɔl tər /

verb (used without object)

falters, present (3rd person singular) faltered, past participle, past faltering present participle

1. to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent, etc.; give way.

   Her courage did not falter at the prospect of hardship.

2. to speak hesitatingly or brokenly.

3. to move unsteadily; stumble.

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verb (used with object)

falters, present (3rd person singular) faltered, past participle, past faltering present participle

1. to utter hesitatingly or brokenly.

   to falter an apology.

noun

1. the act of faltering; an unsteadiness of gait, voice, action, etc.

2. a faltering sound.

falter British  

/ ˈfɔːltə /

verb

1. (intr) to be hesitant, weak, or unsure; waver

2. (intr) to move unsteadily or hesitantly; stumble

3. to utter haltingly or hesitantly; stammer

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noun

1. uncertainty or hesitancy in speech or action

2. a quavering or irregular sound

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonfaltering
  adjective
• nonfalteringly
  adverb
• falterer
  noun
• unfalteringly
  adverb
• falteringly
  adverb
• unfaltering
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have faltered
  perfect
• has faltered
  perfect 3rd person singular
• are faltering
  progressive
• has been faltering
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am faltering
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been faltering
  perfect progressive
• is faltering
  progressive 3rd person singular
• falters
  singular 3rd person
• faltering
  participle

Past

• had faltered
  perfect
• was faltering
  progressive singular
• were faltering
  progressive plural
• had been faltering
  perfect progressive
• faltered
  simple
• faltered
  participle

Future

• will falter
  simple
• will have faltered
  perfect
• will have been faltering
  perfect progressive
• will be faltering
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of falter

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English falteren, of obscure origin; perhaps akin to Old Norse faltrast “to bother with, be troubled with”

Explanation

Falter means to hesitate, stumble, or waver, and everything from faith to voices can do it. So if you want to keep your bride or groom happy, it's best not to falter when it's your turn to say "I do." Experts may falter if you ask them where falter came from, because the origins are pretty unclear. But everyone agrees on the current meaning: someone who falters is unsteady, wobbly, or unsure. You might falter while reciting a poem if you forget some of the lines, or falter crossing a rickety rope bridge when fear gets the most of you. But you certainly won't falter when someone asks you the meaning of this word.

Example Sentences

But as hopes for peace falter and with U.S. inflation hitting a three-year high on Tuesday, analysts are sounding the alarm about dwindling energy reserves.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

However that previous head coaching experience was one reason he was brought to Los Angeles as as the Kings’ top assistant in 2024 since it made him an ideal fallback candidate should Hiller falter.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

Hopes the crucial waterway would be reopened have taken another hit as peace talks falter and cargo ships are attacked, but investors still have reason for hope.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

That balance, she argues, is where many returning shows falter.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

However, halting our investigation without discussion and keeping everything bottled up is taking its toll: my always-happy face has begun to falter at inopportune times.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone

Related Words

• flounder
• hesitate
• reel
• waver
• wobble