hesitate
/'heziteit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness before acting or deciding.
- To interrupt an activity temporarily before continuing.
Usage
The verb "hesitate" describes a momentary stop or delay caused by doubt, reluctance, or indecision. It is often followed by an infinitive ("to hesitate to do something") or used alone to describe a pause in speech or action.
Examples
- Verb:
- She didn't hesitate before answering the difficult question.
- If you need help, please don't hesitate to ask.
- He hesitated at the door, unsure whether to enter.
Advanced Usage
- "to hesitate over something": to pause because of doubt about a specific thing.
- She hesitated over the final answer on the test.
- "without hesitation": immediately and without any doubt or pause.
- He accepted the offer without hesitation.
Variants and Related Words
- Hesitation (noun): the act or an instance of hesitating.
- After a moment's hesitation, she agreed.
- Hesitant (adjective): tending to hesitate; showing indecision.
- He was hesitant to commit to the plan.
Synonyms
- Pause: to stop temporarily.
- Falter: to speak or move in a hesitant or unsteady way.
- Waver: to be indecisive between choices.
Related Phrasal Verbs
(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)
Related Idioms
- Not hesitate for a second: to act immediately without any doubt.
- I wouldn't hesitate for a second to recommend him.
Verb
- interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
- The speaker paused
- pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
- Authorities hesitate to quote exact figures