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Spell Bee Word: Hesitant

Hesitant (adjective): unsure or slow to act or speak, because you are worried, shy or doubtful.

A Class 6 Spell Bee Summer word · All Class 6 words · Free Class 6 sample paper


What does hesitant mean?

Word: Hesitant

Part of Speech: Adjective

Meaning: Hesitant means unsure or slow to act or speak, because you are worried, shy or doubtful.

Synonyms: unsure, reluctant, doubtful, uncertain

Antonyms: eager, decisive

How do you spell hesitant?

Syllables: hes - i - tant

Tricky part: The word ends in ant, not ent, an easy slip because the two endings sound alike in quick speech.

Watch out for: hesitent, hesatant, hesitint

Memory tip: Hesitant ends like distant and constant, three describing words that all close with ant.

Hesitant in a sentence

Example 1: Tara was hesitant to raise her hand, though she knew the answer.

Example 2: The new puppy was hesitant about climbing the stairs.

Example 3: Grandpa was hesitant to try a video call at first.

Fun Fact

Hesitate comes from the Latin haesitare, meaning to stick fast; a hesitant person seems stuck in one place.

Practise the CREST Way

Word Connection

Choose the antonym of the word:

hesitant

a) cautious
b) timid
c) confident
d) wary

Show answer

c) confident. A confident person acts without doubt; a hesitant one holds back.

Spell-o-Spell

Choose the incorrectly spelt word:

a) important
b) brilliant
c) hezitant
d) pleasant

Show answer

c) hezitant. Hesitant is written with an s that sounds like z, as in rose and busy.

Word Cookie

Find the misspelt word in the sentence:

The shy new student was hesetant to join the noisy group at lunch.

a) hesetant
b) noisy
c) student
d) lunch

Show answer

a) hesetant. The middle vowel is an i, as in hesitate.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What would a hesitant swimmer probably do?

a) dive straight into the deep end
b) stand at the edge before getting in
c) race the others across the pool
d) offer to teach the beginners

Show answer

b) stand at the edge before getting in

2. What would most help a hesitant child to speak up?

a) a loud warning to hurry up
b) a long list of strict rules
c) a crowd of strangers watching
d) a few kind words of encouragement

Show answer

d) a few kind words of encouragement

Associated Words

Words that end in -tant: accountant, constant, exorbitant, assistant, inhabitant, contestant

Related words on the Spell Bee lists: unsure, reluctant, doubtful, uncertain, eager

More words from this list

pneumatic, splendid, virologist, amethyst, cavernous, cunning, especially, meteorologist

Next steps

How to participate in CREST International Spell Bee

The CREST International Spell Bee (CSB) is conducted in two editions – CREST International Spell Bee - Summer (CSB) and CREST International Spell Bee - Winter (CSBW) – giving students across the globe an opportunity to showcase and enhance their spelling proficiency. Designed for young learners from Senior KG to Class 8, the competition focuses on word-building, pronunciation, and vocabulary enrichment, helping students develop strong linguistic skills.

Steps to Participate:

Step 1: Visit the registration page and complete the registration with your desired subject.

Step 2: After Registration done, do login at www.crestolympiads.com/login.

Step 3: After login, go to dashboard and click on Book slot/Take Exam

Step 4: Schedule your exam date and preferred time.

Step 5: Log in with your credentials on the exam day at the scheduled time and take the exam.

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