hesitate — to pause before doing or saying something, especially because you are uncertain or nervous
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to pause before doing or saying something, especially because you are uncertain or nervous
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈhezɪteɪt/
Example Sentences
- I hesitated before eating the suspicious-looking pizza slice.
- Don't hesitate to call me if you need any help.
- He hesitated when asked to sing karaoke in front of his crush.
hesitate
VERB[/ˈhezɪteɪt/]
to pause before doing or saying something, especially because you are uncertain or nervous
She hesitates at the edge of the diving board, toes curled tight.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Derived from Latin haesitare, which stems from haerere meaning 'to stick' or 'to adhere'. The word originally conveyed the sense of being stuck or held back, metaphorically describing the mental state of being unable to move forward decisively.
Breakdown
haesitare (Latin: to stick, to be held fast) → hesitate (to pause or waver in decision). The -ate suffix forms a verb from the Latin root, preserving the sense of being mentally 'stuck' between choices.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“I hesitated before eating the suspicious-looking pizza slice.”
“Don't hesitate to call me if you need any help.”
“He hesitated when asked to sing karaoke in front of his crush.”
“She never hesitates to speak her mind during meetings.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
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