Spanish Conversation · Level 21
90 words
Spanish word
vacilante
Pronunciation
IPA/baθiˈlante/
Meaning
- adjectivehesitant
Example
Ella estaba vacilante antes de aceptar la oferta.
She was hesitant before accepting the offer.
More examples
Ante la pregunta sobre mudarse, dio una respuesta vacilante.
When asked about moving, she gave a hesitant response.
Core concept
An uncertain glance between two options.
Common phrases
estar vacilante
be hesitant
voz vacilante
hesitant voice
respuesta vacilante
hesitant response
Similar words
indeciso: Wavers between alternatives and cannot bring oneself to choose decisively.
inseguro: Shows low confidence in decisions or actions and hesitates because of uncertainty.
dudoso: Questions the truth or expected outcome and remains without clear certainty.
titubeante: Stumbles over words or actions, with evident pauses that indicate hesitation.
Definition in Spanish
Que está indeciso en un momento dado y no muestra seguridad para actuar.
Word origin
Formed from the verb vacilar plus the suffix -ante, which creates adjectives describing an ongoing or current action of hesitating.
Usage tips
- Cognate with English vacillate/vacillating but in Spanish it commonly describes a brief, immediate hesitation rather than prolonged vacillation.
Opposites
- decididodecisiveadjective
- resueltoresoluteadjective
Related words
- vacilarhesitateverb
- vacilaciónhesitationnoun