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.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of falter

1300–50; Middle English falteren, of obscure origin; perhaps akin to Old Norse faltrast to bother with, be troubled with

Related forms

fal·ter·er, nounfal·ter·ing·ly, adverbnon·fal·ter·ing, adjectivenon·fal·ter·ing·ly, adverb

un·fal·ter·ing, adjectiveun·fal·ter·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for unfaltering

It was the relentless, unfaltering tread of Russia's iron heel.
The North Pacific|Willis Boyd Allen
Nothing but a daring, unfaltering attitude directed fair for the amidships can be effectual.
The Shellback's Progress|Walter Runciman
She did not once turn her head, she uttered no sound, no cry; she hurried forward with unfaltering instinct.
The Wolves of God|Algernon Blackwood
The German machine gunners resisted and retired foot by foot, but the American advance was unfaltering.
The Iron Division, National Guard of Pennsylvania, in the World War|H. G. Proctor

Out in the sunlight his face appeared older, more careworn, but although it cost him an effort to walk, his step was unfaltering.
Under the Rose|Frederic Stewart Isham

British Dictionary definitions for unfaltering

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 Formsfalterer, nounfalteringly, adverb

Word Origin for falter

C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic faltrast

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

Word Origin and History for unfaltering

unfaltering

adj.

1660s, from un- (1) "not" + present participle of falter. Related: Unfalteringly.

falter

mid-14c., of unknown origin, possibly from a Scandinavian source (cf. Old Norse faltrask "be burdened, hesitate, be troubled"), or a frequentative of Middle English falden "to fold," influenced by fault. Related: Faltered; faltering.