Hesitant

/ˈhɛzɪtənt/

Meaning & Definition

adjective
Being slow to act or decide due to uncertainty or reluctance.
She was hesitant to speak her mind during the meeting.
Characterized by a lack of confidence or resolve.
His hesitant smile betrayed his nervousness.
Indicating or resulting from indecision.
The hesitant response from the audience made the speaker uneasy.
Marked by pauses or breaks in speech.
Her hesitant manner of speaking revealed her unease.

Etymology

From Latin 'haesitare', meaning to stick or hesitate.

Common Phrases and Expressions

hesitant to act:
Reluctant or unsure about taking action.
hesitant agreement:
An agreement given with uncertainty or reservations.
make a hesitant move:
To act in a cautious or unsure manner.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

playing it safe
He's always playing it safe with his choices; he can be quite hesitant.
being wishy-washy
Don't be so wishy-washy about your feelings; just say what you want!