- pronunciation:
- he
zih
teIt
- features:
- Word History
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
hesitates, hesitating, hesitated |
| definition 1: |
When you hesitate, you stop yourself for a moment just before doing something. You hesitate because you are a little afraid or not sure what is the right thing to do.
Joe hesitated for a moment before diving into the water.- similar words:
- halt, pause, stall
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| definition 2: |
If you hesitate to do something, you are slow in deciding whether you want to do it or not, or you don't really feel comfortable about doing it.
Max hesitated to try out for the football team because he had heard how much they have to practice.Kelly hesitated to try to be friends with Lindsey because she was afraid that Lindsey didn't like her.- similar words:
- delay, stall
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| derivation: |
hesitatingly (adv.) |
Hesitate is from a Latin word that means "to stick, cling, or hold back."