adj
Uncommon
hesitant
HEH-zih-tuhnt
Hesitant (adj) means Slow to act or decide because of uncertainty, nervousness, or reluctance. Example: “He was hesitant to sign the contract without reading it twice.”
adj
1
Slow to act or decide because of uncertainty, nervousness, or reluctance.
"He was hesitant to sign the contract without reading it twice."
"She gave a hesitant smile, unsure how to react."
How to use hesitant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishReluctant or unsure, and therefore slow to act or commit.
Common pairings
hesitant to commit
a hesitant response
feel hesitant about
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more hesitant
- Superlative
- most hesitant
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was _____ to sign the contract without reading it twice.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin haesitans, the present participle of haesitare ("to hesitate, to stick fast").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for hesitant
See all rhymes for hesitant →Frequently asked questions
What does “hesitant” mean?
The word “hesitant” means slow to act or decide because of uncertainty, nervousness, or reluctance. In plain terms, reluctant or unsure, and therefore slow to act or commit.
How do you pronounce “hesitant”?
“Hesitant” is pronounced HEH-zih-tuhnt (/ˈhɛzɪtənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “hesitant” in a sentence?
Here is “hesitant” used in a sentence: “He was hesitant to sign the contract without reading it twice.”
What part of speech is “hesitant”?
“Hesitant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “hesitant” come from?
The word “hesitant” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin haesitans, the present participle of haesitare ("to hesitate, to stick fast").
Is “hesitant” a common word?
“Hesitant” is an uncommon word in modern English.
