Word
hesitation
Phoneticshes·i·ta·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌhɛzəˈteɪʃən/
UK/hˌɛsɪtˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01a pause before acting
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a short pause before you do something because you are not sure if it is right.
n. a momentary delay or pause in action, typically reflecting uncertainty or a lack of confidence.
“After a moment of hesitation, she decided to tell him the truth.”
“His slight hesitation before signing the contract suggested that he still harboured significant reservations about the merger terms.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'about' or followed by an infinitive verb.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02doubt or indecision
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the feeling of being unable to make a decision.
n. the state of vacillating between different choices or opinions.
“She answered the difficult question without any hesitation.”
“The board's hesitation to invest in new technology allowed their competitors to gain a significant advantage in the market.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'without hesitation' to mean 'immediately and certainly'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03speech difficulty
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a pause or a struggle while speaking, like a small stutter.
n. a faltering or involuntary pause in speech, often associated with stammering or searching for words.
“The student's speech was full of hesitations because he was so nervous.”
“The transcript noted several long hesitations where the witness appeared to be carefully weighing the legal implications of his statement.”
Usage
Usually uncountable when referring to the general quality of a person's speech.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin haesitātiōnem, accusative singular of haesitātiō (“hesitating, stammering”), from haesitō (“hesitate”). Displaced native Old English ġewand.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/hesitation