Hesitated: meaning, definitions and examples

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hesitated

 

[ ˈhɛzɪteɪtɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

emotional response

To hesitate means to pause before taking an action or making a decision, often due to uncertainty or indecision. This behavioral response is common in situations where one feels doubt or fear. Hesitation can be a natural reaction when one is confronted with a difficult choice. In communication, it may indicate a lack of confidence or the need to consider various options before proceeding.

Synonyms

dither, falter, pause, vacillate, waver

Examples of usage

  • She hesitated before answering the question.
  • He hesitated to take the leap of faith.
  • They hesitated to commit to the project.
  • I hesitated when asked to speak in public.

Translations

Translations of the word "hesitated" in other languages:

🇵🇹 hesitou

🇮🇳 संकोच किया

🇩🇪 zögerte

🇮🇩 ragu

🇺🇦 вагався

🇵🇱 wahał się

🇯🇵 ためらった

🇫🇷 hésité

🇪🇸 vacilé

🇹🇷 tereddüt etti

🇰🇷 주저했다

🇸🇦 تردد

🇨🇿 váhal

🇸🇰 váhal

🇨🇳 犹豫

🇸🇮 okleval

🇮🇸 hikaði

🇰🇿 күмәнданды

🇬🇪 კარგად ვერ გადაწყვიტა

🇦🇿 şübhələndi

🇲🇽 vacilé

Etymology

The word 'hesitate' comes from the Latin verb 'haesitare', which means 'to stick' or 'to cling'. This Latin root reflects the sense of being in a state of indecision, as if one is stuck between choices. The word evolved through Old French 'hésiter', which carried a similar meaning. By the late 14th century, it entered the English language with its current spelling and meaning. Over the centuries, it has been used in various contexts, often relating to emotional decision-making and the complexity of human choice. The notion of hesitation encompasses a wide range of experiences, from trivial decisions to significant life choices, making it a relevant concept in psychology and philosophy.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,411 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.