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falter

fal·ter
F f

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [fawl-ter]
    • /ˈfɔl tər/
    • /ˈfɒl.tər/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [fawl-ter]
    • /ˈfɔl tər/

Definitions of falter word

  • verb without object falter to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent, etc.; give way: Her courage did not falter at the prospect of hardship. 1
  • verb without object falter to speak hesitatingly or brokenly. 1
  • verb without object falter to move unsteadily; stumble. 1
  • verb with object falter to utter hesitatingly or brokenly: to falter an apology. 1
  • noun falter the act of faltering; an unsteadiness of gait, voice, action, etc. 1
  • noun falter a faltering sound. 1
See all 33 definitions of falter

Information block about the term

Origin of falter

First appearance:

before 1300
One of the 15% oldest English words
1300-50; Middle English falteren, of obscure origin; perhaps akin to Old Norse faltrast to bother with, be troubled with

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Falter

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of Falter

falter popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 93% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

falter usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for falter

verb falter

  • reel — a lively Scottish dance.
  • flounder — to struggle with stumbling or plunging movements (usually followed by about, along, on, through, etc.): He saw the child floundering about in the water.
  • hesitate — to be reluctant or wait to act because of fear, indecision, or disinclination: She hesitated to take the job.
  • waver — to sway to and fro; flutter: Foliage wavers in the breeze.
  • wobble — to incline to one side and to the other alternately, as a wheel, top, or other rotating body when not properly balanced.

noun falter

  • gimp — a limp.
  • lameness — crippled or physically disabled, especially in the foot or leg so as to limp or walk with difficulty.
  • limp — to walk with a labored, jerky movement, as when lame.
All 42 Synonyms of falter

Antonyms for falter

verb falter

  • remain — to continue in the same state; continue to be as specified: to remain at peace.
  • stabilize — to make or hold stable, firm, or steadfast.
  • calm — A calm person does not show or feel any worry, anger, or excitement.
  • persist — to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, especially in spite of opposition, remonstrance, etc.: to persist in working for world peace; to persist in unpopular political activities.
  • stay — (of a ship) to change to the other tack.
All 12 Antonyms of falter

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Related words

  • hesitate

    to be reluctant or wait to act because of fear, indecision, or disinclination: She hesitated to take the job.

  • flounder

    to struggle with stumbling or plunging movements (usually followed by about, along, on, through, etc.): He saw the child floundering about in the water.

  • halt

    to falter, as in speech, reasoning, etc.; be hesitant; stumble.

  • hesitant

    hesitating; undecided, doubtful, or disinclined.

  • hover

    to hang fluttering or suspended in the air: The helicopter hovered over the building.

  • stagger

    to walk, move, or stand unsteadily.
All related words to falter

See also

Matching words

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