# hesitant

/ˈhɛzɪtənt/ (US) · /hˈɛsɪtənt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hesitant
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

slow to speak or act because you feel unsure or nervous. You might feel this way when you are worried about making a mistake.

For teachers: showing or feeling a lack of certainty or willingness; tentative in manner or action. Often used predicatively after a linking verb.

## Examples

- She was hesitant to answer the phone.
- The committee was hesitant to approve the new budget without seeing a more detailed breakdown of the costs.
- Investors remained hesitant throughout the fiscal quarter, waiting for a clearer signal from the central bank before committing to any large-scale acquisitions.

## Pitfalls

- Not "he was hesitant of the plan" but "he was hesitant about the plan" — The adjective 'hesitant' typically pairs with 'about' or 'to', not 'of'.

## Usage notes

- Commonly followed by a 'to' + infinitive construction or the preposition 'about'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.