falter
FOL-tuh
Falter (verb) means to lose strength, confidence, or momentum; to hesitate or waver. Example: “Her voice faltered as she read the eulogy.”
verb
1
To lose strength, confidence, or momentum; to hesitate or waver.
"Her voice faltered as she read the eulogy."
"The economy faltered after the crisis hit."
2
To stumble or move unsteadily.
"He faltered on the icy steps but didn't fall."
How to use falter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hesitate, weaken, or become unsteady, whether in speech, movement, or confidence.
Common pairings
voice faltered
falter under pressure
without faltering
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Word forms
- Plural
- falters
- Third person singular
- falters
- Past tense
- faltered
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Her voice _____ as she read the eulogy.
Etymology
From Middle English falteren, of uncertain origin, possibly related to a Norse word meaning "to stagger" or "hesitate."
Related words
Rhymes for falter
See all rhymes for falter →Frequently asked questions
What does “falter” mean?
The word “falter” means to lose strength, confidence, or momentum; to hesitate or waver. In plain terms, to hesitate, weaken, or become unsteady, whether in speech, movement, or confidence.
How do you pronounce “falter”?
“Falter” is pronounced FOL-tuh (/ˈfɔltəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “falter” in a sentence?
Here is “falter” used in a sentence: “Her voice faltered as she read the eulogy.”
What is another word for “falter”?
Words with a similar meaning to “falter” include flounder.
What part of speech is “falter”?
“Falter” is a verb.
Where does the word “falter” come from?
The word “falter” comes from Middle English. From Middle English falteren, of uncertain origin, possibly related to a Norse word meaning "to stagger" or "hesitate.".
How many meanings does “falter” have?
“Falter” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to lose strength, confidence, or momentum; to hesitate or waver.
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