Spell Bee Word: halting

Basic Details

Word: Halting

Part of Speech: Adjective

Meaning: Stopping or pausing; unsure or hesitating; not smooth or steady.

Synonyms: Unsteady, hesitant, faltering

Antonyms: Steady, confident, smooth

Idioms and Phrases

1. Halting at the crossroads: To be undecided or unsure about which direction to take in life or a situation. Example: "After finishing school, Maria found herself halting at the crossroads, unsure whether to continue her studies."
2. Halting speech: A manner of speaking that is slow and uncertain. Example: "His halting speech made it clear he was nervous presenting in front of the class."

Usage Examples

Example 1: The boy gave a halting reply, clearly thinking about each word before he spoke.

Example 2: She walked with a halting gait after twisting her ankle during the game.

Example 3: His halting confidence showed he was not quite sure of himself in front of the audience.

Fun Fact

The word "halting" comes from the Old English word "haltian," which means "to be lame or to limp." This historical meaning relates to the idea of stopping or taking small, unsteady steps.

Famous Quote

"In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you." Deepak Chopra

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. What does "halting" mean?

a) To run very fast
b) To stop or pause
c) To laugh loudly
d) To draw quickly

Answer: b) To stop or pause

2. Which of these is a synonym of "halting"?

a) Confident
b) Unsteady
c) Smooth
d) Calm

Answer: b) Unsteady

3. Which is an antonym of "halting"?

a) Hesitant
b) Steady
c) Faltering
d) Uncertain

Answer: b) Steady

4. Which sentence uses "halting" correctly?

a) She made a halting decision that was well thought out.
b) He delivered a halting speech, struggling with his words.
c) The rain was halting all day.
d) The kids were halting down the slide.

Answer: b) He delivered a halting speech, struggling with his words.

5. What does the idiom "halting at the crossroads" mean?

a) To run very fast
b) To be unsure about a decision
c) To fall down
d) To speak without thinking

Answer: b) To be unsure about a decision