Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Showing hesitation.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Showing, or characterized by, hesitation.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Distinguished by hesitation; hesitating.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word hesitative.

Examples

  • Scudamore, in his mild, hesitative way, blushing outwardly, but smiling inwardly, “that I am too good to be a clergyman.”

    Springhaven Richard Doddridge 2004

  • I-- I don't follow -- [His voice is hesitative and lower, showing that he does].

    Loyalties John Galsworthy 1900

  • I-- I don't follow -- [His voice is hesitative and lower, showing that he does].

    Complete Plays of John Galsworthy John Galsworthy 1900

  • I-- I don't follow -- [His voice is hesitative and lower, showing that he does].

    Plays : Fifth Series John Galsworthy 1900

  • I-- I don't follow -- [His voice is hesitative and lower, showing that he does].

    Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works John Galsworthy 1900

  • Soon a courageous bull-frog gives utterance to a subdued, hesitative croak; his excellent example is quickly followed by others; answering noises spring up in every direction, and ere long the midnight concert of the jungle is again in full melody.

    Around the World on a Bicycle - Volume II From Teheran To Yokohama Thomas Stevens 1894

  • The feeble and hesitative manner in which Aristotle attempts to answer the perplexing questions which present themselves in this connection, indicates very clearly, how little knowledge he has of the perversity of a corrupted heart (Nic., vii, 1-7).

    Christian Ethics. Volume I.���History of Ethics. 1819-1870 1873

  • "Admiral Darling is kind enough to think," said Scudamore, in his mild, hesitative way, blushing outwardly, but smiling inwardly, "that I am too good to be a clergyman."

    Springhaven : a Tale of the Great War 1862

  • John asked him, knowing that Rodney usually was hesitative for participating in any apparent dangerous task.

    Wraithbait 2008

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.