falter

[ fawl-ter ]
See synonyms for: falterfalteredfalteringfalteringly on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent, etc.; give way: Her courage did not falter at the prospect of hardship.

  2. to speak hesitatingly or brokenly.

  1. to move unsteadily; stumble.

verb (used with object)
  1. to utter hesitatingly or brokenly: to falter an apology.

noun
  1. the act of faltering; an unsteadiness of gait, voice, action, etc.

  2. a faltering sound.

Origin of falter

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English falteren, of obscure origin; perhaps akin to Old Norse faltrast “to bother with, be troubled with”

Other words from falter

  • fal·ter·er, noun
  • fal·ter·ing·ly, adverb
  • non·fal·ter·ing, adjective
  • non·fal·ter·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·fal·ter·ing, adjective
  • un·fal·ter·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use falter in a sentence

  • How sure, how unfaltering, was the touch of Holy Church upon the penitent soul.

    Robert Annys: Poor Priest | Annie Nathan Meyer

British Dictionary definitions for falter

falter

/ (ˈfɔːltə) /


verb
  1. (intr) to be hesitant, weak, or unsure; waver

  2. (intr) to move unsteadily or hesitantly; stumble

  1. to utter haltingly or hesitantly; stammer

noun
  1. uncertainty or hesitancy in speech or action

  2. a quavering or irregular sound

Origin of falter

1
C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic faltrast

Derived forms of falter

  • falterer, noun
  • falteringly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012