Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [hez-i-tuh nt]
- /ˈhɛz ɪ tənt/
- /ˈhez.ɪ.tənt/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [hez-i-tuh nt]
- /ˈhɛz ɪ tənt/
Definitions of hesitant word
- adjective hesitant hesitating; undecided, doubtful, or disinclined. 1
- adjective hesitant lacking readiness of speech. 1
- noun hesitant Tentative, unsure, or slow in acting or speaking. 1
- adjective hesitant speech: not confident 1
- adjective hesitant person: reluctant 1
- adjective hesitant person: indecisive 1
Information block about the term
Origin of hesitant
First appearance:
before 1640 One of the 44% oldest English words
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
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Hesitant
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
hesitant popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 84% 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.
hesitant usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for hesitant
adj hesitant
- skeptical — doubtful about a particular thing: My teacher thinks I can get a scholarship, but I'm skeptical.
- slow — moving or proceeding with little or less than usual speed or velocity: a slow train.
- unsure — not certain or confident: He arrived at the party unsure of his welcome.
- tentative — of the nature of or made or done as a trial, experiment, or attempt; experimental: a tentative report on her findings.
- shy — bashful; retiring.
adjective hesitant
- cautious — Someone who is cautious acts very carefully in order to avoid possible danger.
- undecided — not decided or determined.
- waiting — an act or instance of waiting or awaiting; delay; halt: a wait at the border.
- sceptical — inclined to skepticism; having an attitude of doubt: a skeptical young woman who will question whatever you say.
- doubting — Present participle of doubt.
Antonyms for hesitant
adj hesitant
- believing — to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so: Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully.
- decisive — If a fact, action, or event is decisive, it makes it certain that there will be a particular result.
- confident — If you are confident about something, you are certain that it will happen in the way you want it to.
- willing — disposed or consenting; inclined: willing to go along.
- brave — Someone who is brave is willing to do things which are dangerous, and does not show fear in difficult or dangerous situations.
adjective hesitant
- extroverted — Possessing the characteristic property of an extrovert. Outgoing, comfortable in social interactions.
Top questions with hesitant
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See also
Matching words
- Words starting with h
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