hesitation
B2Neutral to formal. Used in both spoken and written contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The act of pausing or delaying before deciding, acting, or speaking due to uncertainty or doubt.
A state of indecision or reluctance; a faltering in speech, action, or commitment, often revealing inner conflict, caution, or lack of confidence.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an uncountable noun, though countable use ('a moment's hesitation') is common. The word inherently carries a neutral-to-negative connotation, suggesting a lack of decisiveness or confidence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Pronunciation and potential colloquial paraphrasing may vary.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in American English contexts; in British English, it can be used more matter-of-factly in everyday speech.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
hesitation about + V-ing/noun (hesitation about accepting)hesitation in + V-ing (hesitation in speaking)hesitation over + noun (hesitation over the terms)hesitation to + infinitive (hesitation to commit)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Without a moment's hesitation.”
- “He who hesitates is lost.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to discuss cautious decision-making, investment reluctance, or negotiating stances.
Academic
Used in psychology to describe cognitive processing delays, or in rhetoric to analyse speech patterns.
Everyday
Commonly used to describe everyday indecision, e.g., in answering a question or making a choice.
Technical
In linguistics, refers to filled pauses ('um', 'uh'); in engineering/controls, can refer to system lag.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He hesitated before replying, weighing his words carefully.
- Don't hesitate to ring if you need anything.
American English
- She hesitated at the door, unsure whether to enter.
- I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him for the job.
adverb
British English
- He answered hesitantly, as if each word cost him effort.
- She reached out hesitantly to touch the artifact.
American English
- The car moved hesitantly through the deep snow.
- He began to speak hesitantly about his past.
adjective
British English
- She gave a hesitant smile.
- His hesitant manner suggested a lack of experience.
American English
- The hesitant economic recovery worried investors.
- He was hesitant about signing the contract.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- There was a short hesitation before she said 'yes'.
- He answered the question without hesitation.
- I noticed a moment of hesitation in her voice when she described the event.
- After some hesitation, he agreed to join the team.
- Her hesitation to invest was based on a thorough analysis of the market risks.
- The politician's hesitation during the debate was seen as a sign of weakness.
- Any hesitation on the part of the central bank could destabilise the currency markets.
- The strategic deployment was executed with flawless precision, leaving no room for hesitation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'HE Sit Ation' – picture someone about to sit down but pausing, unsure if the chair is stable.
Conceptual Metaphor
HESITATION IS A PHYSICAL BARRIER/STOPPAGE (e.g., 'a wall of hesitation', 'traffic jam of thought').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from 'колебание' for mechanical oscillation. 'Hesitation' is mental/behavioural.
- Do not confuse with 'задержка' (delay) which is more general and often external. 'Hesitation' is internal.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'She had an hesitation.' (Use 'a hesitation').
- Overusing as a countable noun (e.g., 'many hesitations' sounds odd; prefer 'moments of hesitation').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes 'hesitation'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. While it can imply indecisiveness, it can also be positive, indicating careful thought, prudence, or ethical consideration before acting.
'Hesitation' refers to the *act* of pausing or delaying. 'Doubt' is the *feeling* of uncertainty that often *causes* the hesitation. Hesitation is the behavioural manifestation.
Yes. In fields like linguistics, it refers to disfluencies (e.g., 'ums and ahs'). In sports coaching or performance arts, it denotes a lack of fluid, committed movement.
Using it incorrectly with articles. As an uncountable noun, 'She showed hesitation' is standard. The countable use typically requires a quantifier: 'a slight hesitation', 'moments of hesitation'.