dither

American  

[dith-er] / ˈdɪð ər /

noun

1. a trembling; vibration.

2. a state of flustered excitement or fear.

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verb (used without object)

1. to act irresolutely; vacillate.

2. North England. to tremble with excitement or fear.

dither British  

/ ˈdɪðə /

verb

1. to be uncertain or indecisive

2. to be in an agitated state

3. to tremble, as with cold

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noun

1. a state of indecision

2. a state of agitation

Other Word Forms

• ditherer noun
• dithery adjective

Etymology

Origin of dither

1640–50; variant of didder ( late Middle English diddere ); dodder ¹

Example Sentences

And while Hamlet may dither in seeking revenge for his father’s murder, we don’t hope that the scheming Claudius gets away with it.

From The Wall Street Journal

If Mr. Linklater, a well-established New York stage actor, cannot make Ben’s emotional dithering either original or believable, he at least brings a taut intensity to his performance.

From The Wall Street Journal

"For too long, the North has been held back by underinvestment and years of dither and delay," Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said.

From BBC

Now that “Honest Abe” Lincoln had won the presidency, the South was in a dither.

From Literature

Gaye is a dithering stage mother, and the younger cast members, looking to Charlie for guidance, have a reluctant mentor on their hands.

From The Wall Street Journal