Dither

/ˈdɪðər/

Meaning & Definition

noun

a state of indecisiveness or uncertainty.

There was some dither among the committee members about how to proceed with the project.

verb

to be indecisive or uncertain; to fluctuate or waver.

He tends to dither when making important decisions, unable to choose a clear path.

to act nervously or hesitantly.

She dithered at the door, unsure whether to enter the room.

Origin uncertain, possibly derived from the Scottish dialect.

dither about

To hesitate or be indecisive about something.

don't dither

A command to not hesitate or delay.

dithering decision

A decision that is made after much indecision.

hesitate

To pause before deciding or acting.

indecision

The inability to make a decision quickly.

To waste time or be overly cautious.

Stop dithering and place your bet already!

To be overly involved in small details while neglecting the bigger picture.

He's just dithering on the minor issues instead of focusing on the main problem.