hesitant
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of hesitant
First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin haesitant-, stem of haesitāns “faltering,” present participle of haesitāre “to falter, hesitate,” literally, “to stick repeatedly,” from haerēre “to stick, cling”
Explanation
When you’re feeling hesitant, you aren’t sure what to do, so instead of taking action you wait a little, biding your time until you figure out what option is best. The Latin word haesitant translates as “being undecided,” and not being able to decide is exactly what makes you hesitant. Being hesitant will make you hesitate for a bit, waiting to see what happens next. Nervousness or fear will make your actions hesitant, like when trying to walk across a rickety wooden bridge. Should you keep going or turn back? Your hesitant steps show that you’re still wrestling with that question. Whatever you decide, don’t look down.
Vocabulary lists containing hesitant
The Diary of Anne Frank
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The Hate U Give
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hesitant Chelsea passing had already presented Neto and Cunha with early opportunities before the Blues went on to surrender their first-half advantage.
From BBC • Feb. 4, 2024
Hesitant: Helpful feedback might be: “You’re late too often. Your hygiene needs improvement. Your roommates are rude.”
From Washington Post • Dec. 6, 2022
Hesitant at first, I do as my invitation instructs and follow the wooden signposts for Dead Blue Van Ranch.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 14, 2021
Hesitant at first, a mother of three welcomes a nighttime nanny named Tully into her home to help take care of her newborn daughter.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2019
Hesitant, wary of some trap, the first few prisoners edged across the planks and through the ring of the stakes, toward Melisandre and the Wall.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
