What does hesitant mean?

Definitions for hesitant
ˈhɛz ɪ tənthes·i·tant

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word hesitant.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. hesitant, hesitatingadjective

    lacking decisiveness of character; unable to act or decide quickly or firmly

Wiktionary

  1. hesitantadjective

    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.

  2. Etymology: From stem of haesitans, present participle of haesito

Wikipedia

  1. hesitant

    Hesitation or hesitating is the psychological process of pausing in the course of making a decision or taking an action, typically due to uncertainty as to the best course of action. Hesitation is described in both positive and negative terms, with some perceiving it as an indication of thoughtfulness, while others characterize it as a sign of indecisiveness or lack of the will to act. In literature, a period of hesitation on the part of a key character has sometimes been depicted as having substantial consequences.

ChatGPT

  1. hesitant

    Hesitant is a term used to describe a person or action that shows uncertainty, lack of confidence, or unwillingness. This could be due to doubt, fear, or indecisiveness. A person is hesitant when they are unsure or reluctant about what to do next.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Hesitantadjective

    not prompt in deciding or acting; hesitating

  2. Hesitantadjective

    unready in speech

  3. Etymology: [L. haesitans, p. pr. of haesitare: cf. F. hsitant. See Hesitate.]

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of hesitant in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of hesitant in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of hesitant in a Sentence

  1. Danielle Hale:

    If buyers are hesitant to go shopping because they want to avoid contact with others, this could dampen home sales directly, as social distancing is practiced by more people for longer periods of time, a slowdown in consumer spending could eventually lead to job loss and lower incomes.

  2. Christian Gerlach:

    Inflation hasn't come back and that goes hand-in-hand with the asset class not coming back. Investors are hesitant and you see that with the withdrawals.

  3. Michele Spoont:

    Dr. Fortney’s intervention developed a method to extend the reach of the specialized PTSD services to the community primary care clinics by using telehealth technology, not only does it make it easier for veterans to get the specialized treatments, but maybe it will help those veterans who are hesitant to go to a mental health program get evidence-based PTSD treatment if it is offered in a primary care setting.

  4. Christina Torino-Benton:

    I tried for maybe two minutes to allow some family members to calm her down, but having missed her nap, and in that heat, it wasn’t going to happen, there was no question. I had to nurse, and I wasn’t hesitant about that at all.

  5. Mercedes Schlapp:

    I have been in Republican politics for a long time and this is really the first presidential campaign where I have seen major investment into Latino outreach, republicans for a long time really have been hesitant to break into the Latino community and black community and court that vote.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

hesitant#10000#32220#100000

Translations for hesitant

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"hesitant." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 8 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/hesitant>.

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