falter

fal·ter

Use falter in a sentence

verb

Falter is defined as to move in an uncertain way or to hesitate in word or action.

An example of falter is to stumble through a dark hallway.

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"falter." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 23 March 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/FALTER>.

APA Style

falter. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23rd, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/FALTER

falter

to move uncertainly or unsteadily; totter; stumble
to stumble in speech; speak haltingly; stammer
to act hesitantly; show uncertainty; waver; flinch: to falter under enemy fire
to lose strength, certainty, etc.; weaken: the economy faltered

Origin of falter

Middle English faltren, probably from ON, as in faltra(sk), be uncertain

to say hesitantly or timidly

a faltering
a faltering sound

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MLA Style

"falter." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 23 March 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/FALTER>.

APA Style

falter. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23rd, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/FALTER

falter

intransitive verb

fal·tered, fal·ter·ing, fal·ters

To be unsteady in purpose or action, as from loss of courage or confidence; waver: “She never faltered in her resolution to regain her old position” ( Louis Auchincloss )
To speak hesitatingly; stammer: faltered in reciting the poem.
a. To move unsteadily or haltingly; stumble: The racehorse faltered right after the start.
b. To become weak, ineffective, or unsteady, especially in performance: The economy faltered in the second quarter. His memory began to falter.

noun

Unsteadiness in speech or action: finished the project without falter.
A faltering sound: answered with a falter in his voice.

Origin of falter

Middle English falteren to stagger possibly from Old Norse faltrask to be puzzled, hesitate

Related Forms:

fal′ter·er
noun

fal′ter·ing·ly
adverb

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"falter." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 23 March 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/FALTER>.

APA Style

falter. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23rd, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/FALTER

Noun

(uncountable)

unsteadiness.

Verb

(third-person singular simple present falters, present participle faltering, simple past and past participle faltered)

To waver or be unsteady.
(intransitive) To stammer; to utter with hesitation, or in a weak and trembling manner.
To fail in distinctness or regularity of exercise; said of the mind or of thought.
To stumble.
(figuratively) To lose faith or vigor; to doubt or abandon (a cause).
To hesitate in purpose or action.
To cleanse or sift, as barley.

Origin

Middle English falteren (“to stagger”), probably from a Scandinavian source (compare Old Norse faltrast, be encumbered) or from a Middle English frequentative of falden, folden (“to fold”). More at fold.

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.