French word

hésitant

Pronunciation

IPA/ezitɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adjectivehesitant

Example

Il est hésitant avant de répondre.

He is hesitant before answering.

Illustration for hésitant (hesitant)

More examples

Elle a fait un geste hésitant en répondant.

She made a hesitant gesture as she answered.

Core concept

A reply or action hangs briefly while its direction remains unsettled.

Common phrases

  • être hésitant

    be hesitant

  • avoir l'air hésitant

    look hesitant

  • un geste hésitant

    a hesitant gesture

Similar words

indécis: Slow to make decisions because uncertainty persists.
incertain: Not certain about a fact, result, or likely outcome.

Definition in French

Qui montre de l'hésitation et n'agit pas ou ne répond pas immédiatement.

Word origin

The adjective hésitant developed from French hésiter, which goes back through Old French to Latin haesitare, related to haerere, 'to remain stuck'.

Usage tips

  • The related verb uses hésiter à + an infinitive, as in hésiter à répondre.

Opposites

  • décidédecidedadjective
  • assuréconfidentadjective

Related words

  • hésitationhesitationnoun
  • hésiterhesitateverb

Word lists with this word