Hesitant meaning

hĕz'ĭ-tənt
The definition of hesitant is someone or something that is tentative, cautious or unsure.

An example of someone who would be described as hesitant is a person who slowly agrees to something even though she is not sure she wants to.

adjective
1
1
Hesitating or undecided; vacillating; doubtful.
adjective
0
1
Tending to hesitate, wait, or proceed with caution or reservation.

I am hesitant to recommend him as a manager because he has a short temper.

adjective
0
1
Inclined or tending to hesitate.
adjective
0
2
Advertisement

Origin of hesitant

  • From Latin stem of haesitans, present participle of haesitare (“to stick fast, to hesitate”)
    From Wiktionary

Hesitant Sentence Examples

  • We were hesitant to speak candidly in front of Molly.

  • Evelyn asked with a hesitant smile.

  • He did act hesitant about it, but his encouragement sounded sincere.

  • Dean was hesitant to discuss this or any aspects of the job with Ethel.

  • She held firm and didn't reveal anything but she was hesitant to lie directly.

More sentences →

Words near hesitant in the Dictionary