Hesitate Hesitated ˈhezɪteɪt I Verb Replying Order Waiter

• she hesitated before replying.
• he seemed to hesitate a second.
• when she hesitated over her order, the waiter gave her an impatient look.
• i didn't hesitate for a moment about taking the job.

hesitate

Verb Forms

1. to be slow to speak or act because you feel uncertain or nervous
• She hesitated before replying.
• He seemed to hesitate a second.
• When she hesitated over her order, the waiter gave her an impatient look.
• I didn't hesitate for a moment about taking the job.
• She stood there, hesitating over whether or not to tell him the truth.
• ‘I'm not sure,’ she hesitated.

Extra Examples

• Something about his smile made her hesitate.
• I barely hesitated before saying yes.
• I didn't hesitate about working with Craig.
• He was hesitating between a glass of wine and an orange juice.
2. to be worried about doing something, especially because you are not sure that it is right or appropriate
• Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.
• If you'd like me to send you the book, then please don't hesitate to ask.
• She never hesitated to speak her mind.
3. if you delay in doing something you may lose a good opportunity

Word Origin

• early 17th cent.: from Latin haesitat- ‘stuck fast, left undecided’, from the verb haesitare, from haerere ‘stick, stay’.