adj
hesitant
HEH-zih-tuhnt
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
Word Forms
more hesitant comparative, most hesitant superlative
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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").