English Dictionary |
FALTER
Pronunciation (US): | ![]() | (GB): | ![]() |
IPA (US): | ![]() |
Dictionary entry overview: What does falter mean?
• FALTER (noun)
The noun FALTER has 1 sense:
1. the act of pausing uncertainly
Familiarity information: FALTER used as a noun is very rare.
• FALTER (verb)
The verb FALTER has 4 senses:
2. move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
Familiarity information: FALTER used as a verb is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
The act of pausing uncertainly
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
falter; faltering; hesitation; waver
Context example:
there was a hesitation in his speech
Hypernyms ("falter" is a kind of...):
pause (temporary inactivity)
Derivation:
falter (speak haltingly)
Conjugation: |




Past simple: faltered


Past participle: faltered


-ing form: faltering


Sense 1
Meaning:
Be unsure or weak
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
falter; waver
Context example:
Their enthusiasm is faltering
Hypernyms (to "falter" is one way to...):
hesitate; waffle; waver (pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Sense 2
Meaning:
Move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Synonyms:
falter; waver
Hypernyms (to "falter" is one way to...):
move (move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Derivation:
faltering (the act of pausing uncertainly)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Walk unsteadily
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Synonyms:
Context example:
The drunk man stumbled about
Hypernyms (to "falter" is one way to...):
walk (use one's feet to advance; advance by steps)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
Sentence example:
Sam and Sue falter
Sense 4
Meaning:
Speak haltingly
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Synonyms:
bumble; falter; stammer; stutter
Context example:
The speaker faltered when he saw his opponent enter the room
Hypernyms (to "falter" is one way to...):
mouth; speak; talk; utter; verbalise; verbalize (express in speech)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Sentence example:
Sam and Sue falter
Derivation:
falter (the act of pausing uncertainly)
Context examples
"I did not mean that—" she began, then faltered.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
“I shall be very sorry to go away,” said she, with a faltering voice.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
“Shall I—be—given up to him?” I faltered.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
When a dog slipped or faltered, the one behind nipped his hind quarters.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
Their hands did not falter any the more because those that they loved implored them to slay them.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
"Hadn't you rather have her marry a rich man?" asked Jo, as her mother's voice faltered a little over the last words.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
But whenever he faltered for a word, my uncle always had it ready for him, and it was hard to say which knew most about the business.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
It would be hard, indeed (with a faltering voice), if woman's feelings were to be added to all this.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
“She is, my lord,” faltered Alleyne.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
“Have I offended the general?” said Catherine in a faltering voice.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
Learn English with... Proverbs |
"Unfortunates learn from their own mistakes, and the lucky ones learn from other's mistakes." (Afghanistan proverb)
"Life will show you what you did not know." (Arabic proverb)
"A horse aged thirty: don't add any more years." (Corsican proverb)