hesitant
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
- hesitance noun
- hesitantly adverb
- nonhesitant adjective
- nonhesitantly adverb
- unhesitant adjective
- unhesitantly adverb
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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In the Mood? 100 Words to Describe Emotions
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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.
Profits at Micron and its rivals have been soaring exponentially, but some investors have been hesitant to get too excited, as the memory market is known to deliver dramatic booms and then busts.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026
Loyola Marymount’s Levinson said that rival campaigns might be hesitant to file a suit challenging Pratt’s eligibility.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026
Initially Chloe was hesitant to tell friends and family that she was being affected by infertility.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
But many are hesitant to strike deals at today’s depressed prices.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
The cat still paused by the gate, one paw lifted delicately in the air—undecided, questioning, hesitant; until suddenly, some inner decision reached, he followed the dogs.
From "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford
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.
