Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [hez-i-teyt]
- /ˈhɛz ɪˌteɪt/
- /ˈhezɪteɪt/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [hez-i-teyt]
- /ˈhɛz ɪˌteɪt/
Definitions of hesitate word
- verb without object hesitate to be reluctant or wait to act because of fear, indecision, or disinclination: She hesitated to take the job. 1
- verb without object hesitate to have scruples or doubts; be unwilling: He hesitated to break the law. 1
- verb without object hesitate to pause: I hesitated before reciting the next line. 1
- verb without object hesitate to falter in speech; stammer: Embarrassment caused the speaker to hesitate. 1
- noun hesitate Pause before saying or doing something, especially through uncertainty. 1
- intransitive verb hesitate pause 1
Information block about the term
Origin of hesitate
First appearance:
before 1615 One of the 41% oldest English words
1615-25; < Latin haesitātus, past participle of haesitāre. See hesitant, -ate1
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Hesitate
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
hesitate popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 91% 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.
hesitate usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for hesitate
verb hesitate
- ponder — to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate (often followed by over or upon).
- pause — a temporary stop or rest, especially in speech or action: a short pause after each stroke of the oar.
- balk — If you balk at something, you definitely do not want to do it or to let it happen.
- waffle — waffling language.
- waver — to sway to and fro; flutter: Foliage wavers in the breeze.
Antonyms for hesitate
verb hesitate
- 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.
- hasten — to move or act with haste; proceed with haste; hurry: to hasten to a place.
- hurry — to move, proceed, or act with haste (often followed by up): Hurry, or we'll be late. Hurry up, it's starting to rain.
- remain — to continue in the same state; continue to be as specified: to remain at peace.
- go ahead — permission or a signal to proceed: They got the go-ahead on the construction work.
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See also
Matching words
- Words starting with h
- Words starting with he
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- Words starting with hesitate