hesitant

[ hez-i-tuh nt ]

/ ˈhɛz ɪ tənt /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR hesitant ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

hesitating; undecided, doubtful, or disinclined.

lacking readiness of speech.

Words nearby hesitant

heseltine, heshvan, hesiod, hesione, hesitancy, hesitant, hesitate, hesitation, hesitation waltz, hesitative, hesper

Origin of hesitant

1640–50; < Latin haesitant- (stem of haesitāns), present participle of haesitāre to falter, hesitate, equivalent to haes(us), past participle of haerēre to stick, hold fast + -it- frequentative suffix + -ant- -ant

OTHER WORDS FROM hesitant

hes·i·tant·ly, adverbnon·hes·i·tant, adjectivenon·hes·i·tant·ly, adverbun·hes·i·tant, adjective

un·hes·i·tant·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for hesitant

After some teasing and talking, Mulvehill writes that she is “hesitant” but they start kissing.
School Shooters Love This Pickup Artist Website|Brandy Zadrozny|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But church authorities have traditionally been hesitant to discuss controversial parts of Mormon history.
God vs. the Internet. And the Winner is…|Michael Schulson|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He negotiates with a hesitant Hershel who allows everyone to remain on the farm.
The Walking Dead’s Luke Skywalker: Rick Grimes Is the Perfect Modern-Day Mythical Hero|Regina Lizik|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dalia is hesitant to use the label of feminist (making her no different from scores of other progressive female musicians).
The Sisterhood of Bulletproof Stockings: It’s Ladies’ Night for Hasidic Rockers|Emily Shire|September 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Those that are hesitant about Powell may point to her contentious “resignation” as the first female ambassador to India in March.
Meet America’s New Top Ebola Fighter|Abby Haglage|September 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was nothing unknowing or hesitant about her movements.
The Story of Ab|Stanley Waterloo
Many of us belong to that school of thought which is hesitant about altering the fundamental law.
State of the Union Addresses of Warren Harding|Warren Harding
There was a hesitant pause, and then she went on: "Do you know why I sent for you to come."
The Price|Francis Lynde
Mryna was pawing through a footlocker looking for boots when she heard a hesitant step behind her.
The Guardians|Irving Cox
She moved through the room looking, then putting out a slow, hesitant hand to touch very gently.
The Fourth R|George Oliver Smith

British Dictionary definitions for hesitant

hesitant

/ (ˈhɛzɪtənt) /

adjective

wavering, hesitating, or irresolute

Derived forms of hesitant

hesitance or hesitancy, nounhesitantly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

hesitant

adjective

Words related to hesitant

Words nearby hesitant

Origin of hesitant

OTHER WORDS FROM hesitant

Examples from the Web for hesitant

British Dictionary definitions for hesitant

adjective

Derived forms of hesitant