pendulous

[ pen-juh-luhs, pen-duh- ]

adjective

1. hanging down loosely:

   pendulous blossoms.

   Synonyms: pendent

2. swinging freely; oscillating.
3. vacillating or undecided; wavering.

pendulous

/ ˈpɛndjʊləs /

adjective

1. hanging downwards, esp so as to swing from side to side

Derived Forms

• ˈpendulously, adverb
• ˈpendulousness, noun

Other Words From

• pendu·lous·ly adverb
• pendu·lous·ness noun
• semi·pendu·lous adjective
• semi·pendu·lous·ly adverb
• semi·pendu·lous·ness noun
• un·pendu·lous adjective
• un·pendu·lous·ly adverb
• un·pendu·lous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pendulous¹

First recorded in 1595–1605, pendulous is from the Latin word pendulus hanging, swinging. See pend, -ulous

Word History and Origins

Origin of pendulous¹

C17: from Latin pendulus, from pendēre to hang down

Example Sentences

Waldron was the epitome of style and urbanity in jazz, from his pendulous brown cigarette dangling from his fingers to his signature coifed natural Black hair that grew into a stately white.

From Washington Post

Like the album, her set opened with “Saoko,” a song whose sputtery jazz intro quickly gave way to a pendulous bass line that sounded like a spaceship parallel parking on the roof.

From Washington Post

Despite these challenges, Moritz’s staging — presented as a grand chapel under pendulous lanterns — does indeed crack a window and give “Mass” some much needed fresh air.

From Washington Post

The flower stalks typically reach over 10 feet tall and are adorned with as many as 20 strikingly beautiful, wonderfully fragrant, white, red-throated pendulous trumpet blooms.

From Seattle Times

The second time I saw “Woman-Ochre,” earlier this year, the surface plane was flat, the brushstrokes clear, the toothy, glowering figure with pendulous breasts and thick, sturdy limbs had emerged from the gloom.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dangling
• hanging
• pendent