- 1[intransitive, transitive] to be slow to speak or act because you feel uncertain or nervous She hesitated before replying. He seemed to hesitate a second. hesitate about/over something I didn't hesitate for a moment about taking the job. She stood there, hesitating over whether or not to tell him the truth. + speech “I'm not sure,” she hesitated.
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- 2[intransitive] hesitate to do something 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. Idioms
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NAmE//ˈhɛzəˌteɪt//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they hesitate he / she / it hesitates
past simple hesitated
-ing form hesitating
if you delay in doing something you may lose a good opportunity
NAmE//ˌhɛzəˈteɪʃn//
noun [uncountable, countable] She agreed without the slightest hesitation. I have no hesitation in recommending her for the job. He spoke fluently and without unnecessary hesitations.See hesitate in the Oxford Advanced Learner's DictionaryCheck pronunciation: hesitate