falter

American  

[fawl-ter] / ˈfɔl tər /

verb (used without object)

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)

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

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

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

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

Still, the economy can only sustain so many blows before it begins to falter.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

Earlier, farther down, she might have recovered from a falter or stumble, might even have bound up a twisted ankle and continued on.

From "Son" by Lois Lowry

Related Words

• flounder
• hesitate
• reel
• waver
• wobble