hesitant

[ hez-i-tuhnt ]

adjective

1. hesitating; undecided, doubtful, or disinclined.
2. lacking readiness of speech.

hesitant

/ ˈhɛzɪtənt /

adjective

1. wavering, hesitating, or irresolute

Derived Forms

• ˈhesitantly, adverb
• ˈhesitance, noun

Other Words From

• hesi·tant·ly adverb
• non·hesi·tant adjective
• non·hesi·tant·ly adverb
• un·hesi·tant adjective
• un·hesi·tant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hesitant¹

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”

Example Sentences

Despite potential limitations, Leung and Peiris argue that the general public should not be hesitant to get vaccines when they come to market.

From Fortune

Since China’s unemployment is still relatively high, Beijing is hesitant to take any action that would cost jobs.

From Fortune

People may be hesitant to use voice assistants if the assistants routinely stumble when asked to do tasks.

From Fortune

Those companies may view Alexa as a competitor to their own and may therefore be hesitant to partner with Amazon.

From Fortune

Despite efforts to preserve privacy, there is substantial worry that Americans will be hesitant to use the apps.

From Fortune

After some teasing and talking, Mulvehill writes that she is “hesitant” but they start kissing.

From The Daily Beast

But church authorities have traditionally been hesitant to discuss controversial parts of Mormon history.

From The Daily Beast

He negotiates with a hesitant Hershel who allows everyone to remain on the farm.

From The Daily Beast

With the memoir I am a little more hesitant because it probably will be translated into Spanish.

From The Daily Beast

Dalia is hesitant to use the label of feminist (making her no different from scores of other progressive female musicians).

From The Daily Beast

He was a little hesitant about accepting the assignment and the managing editor misunderstood him somewhat.

From Project Gutenberg

The side gates clicked as he stood hesitant under the shelter of the wall, and a figure emerged from his domain.

From Project Gutenberg

A moment before, she had been talking to me freely and impulsively, though a little shy and hesitant, as a young girl.

From Project Gutenberg

So Nancy went through the little garden again with hesitant feet, and turned her face to the Casino.

From Project Gutenberg

Barney stepped out on the sill, moved on a few hesitant steps, stood looking about.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• afraid
• averse
• doubtful
• halting
• indecisive
• loath
• reluctant
• shy
• skeptical
• slow
• tentative
• timid
• unsure
• unwilling