# hesitate

/ˈhɛzəˌteɪt/ (US) · /hˈɛsɪtˌeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hesitate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to pause before acting

verb · CEFR B1

to pause for a short time before you do something because you are not sure if it is right.

For teachers: to pause or hold back in uncertainty or indecision before performing an action.

- She hesitated for a moment before opening the letter from the university.
- The investor hesitated to commit more capital to the project until the market showed clearer signs of recovery.

Usage: Often followed by the infinitive 'to' or the preposition 'about'.

### 2. to pause while speaking

verb · CEFR B2

to pause while you are talking because you are nervous or having trouble finding the right words.

For teachers: to falter or pause during speech, often due to nervousness or a search for appropriate phrasing.

- He hesitated during his speech when he forgot the name of the guest.
- The witness hesitated before answering the prosecutor's question, carefully weighing the implications of her testimony.

Usage: Intransitive; describes the manner of speaking rather than the content.

## Examples

- Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions.
- She started to open the door but seemed to hesitate for a moment before finally walking inside.
- Investors often hesitate when the market shows signs of volatility, preferring to wait for a period of sustained stability before committing significant capital to new ventures.

---

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.