hesitate

hesitate
[[t]he̱zɪteɪt[/t]]
hesitates, hesitating, hesitated
1) VERB If you hesitate, you do not speak or act for a short time, usually because you are uncertain, embarrassed, or worried about what you are going to say or do.

The telephone rang. Catherine hesitated, debating whether to answer it...

She hesitated a long time and then she said `Yes'.

Derived words:
hesitation [[t]he̱zɪte͟ɪʃ(ə)n[/t]] plural N-VAR

Asked if he would go back, Mr Searle said after some hesitation, `I'll have to think about that'...

Mirella approached him and, after a brief hesitation, shook his hand.

2) VERB If you hesitate to do something, you delay doing it or are unwilling to do it, usually because you are not certain it would be right. If you do not hesitate to do something, you do it immediately.

[V to-inf] Some parents hesitate to take these steps because they suspect that their child is exaggerating...

[V to-inf] I hesitated to apply the word `vulnerable' to him but it came into my mind...

[V to-inf] I will not hesitate to take unpopular decisions.

3) VERB: only imper, with neg You can use hesitate in expressions such as `don't hesitate to call me' or `don't hesitate to contact us' when you are telling someone that they should do something as soon as it needs to be done and should not worry about disturbing other people.

[V to-inf] In the event of difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Service Department...

Please don't hesitate to tell either Mr Schrader or myself should you feel ill again...

[V to-inf] Do not hesitate to laugh at anything you find amusing.


English dictionary. 2008.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

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  • Hesitate — «Hesitate» Сингл Stone Sour из альбома Audio Secrecy Выпущен 11 февраля 2011 Формат Digital Download Air Play Записан 2010 Жанр пост гранж …   Википедия

  • Hesitate — Hes i*tate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Hesitated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Hesitating}.] [L. haesitatus, p. p. of haesitare, intens. fr. haerere to hesitate, stick fast; to hang or hold fast. Cf. {Aghast}, {Gaze}, {Adhere}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To stop or pause …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • hesitate — hesitate, waver, vacillate, falter all mean to show irresolution or uncertainty. Hesitate, the general term, usually implies a pause or other sign of indecision before one makes up one s mind what to do, say, or choose {I have for many months… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Hesitate — Hes i*tate, v. t. To utter with hesitation or to intimate by a reluctant manner. [Poetic & R.] [1913 Webster] Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike. Pope. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • hesitate — [hez′i tāt΄] vi. hesitated, hesitating [< L haesitatus, pp. of haesitare, to stick fast, hesitate, intens. of haerere, to stick, cleave < IE base * ghais , to be stuck, neglect > prob. Lith gaištù, to neglect] 1. to stop because of… …   English World dictionary

  • hesitate — I verb balk, be dilatory, be dubious, be irresolute, be tentative, be uncertain, cunctari, dally, delay, demur, doubt, dubitare, falter, haerere, have reservations, hold back, oscillate, pause, procrastinate, question, scruple, stop, think twice …   Law dictionary

  • hesitate — (v.) 1620s, from L. haesitatum, pp. of haesitare (see HESITATION (Cf. hesitation)). Related: Hesitated; hesitating …   Etymology dictionary

  • hesitate — [v] wait; be uncertain alternate, balance, balk, be irresolute, be reluctant, be unwilling, blow hot and cold*, dally, debate, defer, delay, demur, dillydally*, dither, doubt, equivocate, falter, flounder, fluctuate, fumble, hang*, hang back,… …   New thesaurus

  • hesitate — ► VERB 1) pause in indecision. 2) be reluctant to do something. ● he who hesitates is lost Cf. ↑he who hesitates is lost DERIVATIVES hesitation noun. ORIGIN …   English terms dictionary

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