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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Hesitate: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：pause before acting (hesitate)

hesitate 🔊

/ˈhez.ɪ.teɪt/

vi.

to pause for a moment before you act, because you're not sure it's the right thing to do

pause before acting 🔊

➕

/pɔːz bɪˈfɔːr ˈækt.ɪŋ/

vi.

To hold back or delay an action because of uncertainty, doubt, or a lack of confidence about the right course.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'haesitare' (to stick, hold back), from 'haerere' (to stick, cling).

💡 Mnemonic

He sits and waits (sounds like 'hesitate') because he can't decide what to do next.

📖 Example

He reached the crosswalk but hesitated when he saw a car approaching. 🔊 He reached the crosswalk but paused before acting when he saw a car approaching.

🔗 Collocations

hesitate to do something – To be reluctant or delay in doing a particular action.

without hesitation – Immediately and without any pause or doubt.

hesitate for a moment – To pause briefly before proceeding.

🔄 Synonyms

waver (vi.) – To be indecisive or fluctuate between choices.

falter (vi.) – To lose strength or momentum, often showing uncertainty.

vacillate (vi.) – To alternate between different opinions or actions; be indecisive.

🚫 Antonyms

proceed (vi.) – To begin or continue a course of action.

decide (v.) – To reach a conclusion or make a choice.

🌱 Derivatives

hesitation (n.) – The act of hesitating; a pause or delay due to uncertainty.

hesitant (adj.) – Tending to hesitate; showing indecision.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from the Latin 'haesitare', meaning to stick or be stuck. This sense of being physically stuck evolved into the metaphorical sense of being stuck in indecision, perfectly capturing the feeling of hesitation before action or speech.

Meaning 2：pause before speaking (hesitate)

hesitate 🔊

/ˈhez.ɪ.teɪt/

vi.

to stop for a short time before speaking, often because you are nervous or unsure what to say

Close-up of a person hesitating before speaking on the phone, showing uncertainty.

pause before speaking 🔊

➕

/pɔːz bɪˈfɔːr ˈspiː.kɪŋ/

vi.

To make a brief stop or stumble in speech, often due to nervousness, searching for the right words, or emotional difficulty.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

When asked about his future plans, he hesitated before giving a vague answer. 🔊 When asked about his future plans, he paused before speaking before giving a vague answer.

🔗 Collocations

hesitate in one's speech – To speak with pauses or interruptions.

answer without hesitation – To reply immediately and confidently.

a moment's hesitation – A brief pause in speech or action.

🔄 Synonyms

stammer (vi.) – To speak with sudden, involuntary pauses or repetitions.

stumble (vi.) – To make a mistake or pause awkwardly while speaking.

pause (vi.) – To stop speaking temporarily.

🚫 Antonyms

declare (v.) – To state something clearly, formally, and confidently.

blurt out (v. phrasal) – To say something suddenly and without careful thought.

🌱 Derivatives

hesitant (adj.) – Tending to speak with pauses or uncertainty.