falter
[ fawl-ter ]
/ ˈfɔl tər /
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verb (used without object)
to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent, etc.; give way: Her courage did not falter at the prospect of hardship.
to speak hesitatingly or brokenly.
to move unsteadily; stumble.
verb (used with object)
to utter hesitatingly or brokenly: to falter an apology.
noun
the act of faltering; an unsteadiness of gait, voice, action, etc.
a faltering sound.
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Origin of falter
1300–50; Middle English falteren, of obscure origin; perhaps akin to Old Norse faltrast to bother with, be troubled with
OTHER WORDS FROM falter
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use falter in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for falter
falter
/ (ˈfɔːltə) /
verb
(intr) to be hesitant, weak, or unsure; waver
(intr) to move unsteadily or hesitantly; stumble
to utter haltingly or hesitantly; stammer
noun
uncertainty or hesitancy in speech or action
a quavering or irregular sound
Derived forms of falter
falterer, nounfalteringly, adverbWord Origin for falter
C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic faltrast
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