# hesitation

/ˌhɛzəˈteɪʃən/ (US) · /hˌɛsɪtˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a pause before acting

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. doubt or indecision

noun · CEFR B2

the feeling of being unable to make a decision.

For teachers: 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'.

### 3. speech difficulty

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a pause or a struggle while speaking, like a small stutter.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She showed hesitation before answering the question.
- His hesitation to sign the contract worried the sales team.
- There was a moment of hesitation in her voice, suggesting she had not fully considered the consequences of her decision.

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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.