halting

/ˈhɔːltɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈhɔːltɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhȯl-tiŋ/ (ame, mw)

halting — adjective

  • haltingpositive
  • more haltingcomparative
  • most haltingsuperlative

1. pausing many times in the middle of speaking or moving forward, usually because

1.形容詞C1
釋義

pausing many times in the middle of speaking or moving forward, usually because the person feels unsure, anxious, or is still searching for the right words.

例句

Ishaan answered the interviewer's question in halting English, pausing to search for each word.

halting English — describes speech with frequent pauses from low confidence

Nadia gave a halting account of the accident, stopping often to wipe her eyes.

halting + speech noun (account, explanation, reply)

同義詞
  • hesitant

    more general; can describe decisions and actions, not only speech or movement

  • faltering

    near-synonym; often suggests the speaker or mover is losing strength or losing nerve

  • stumbling

    stronger image of tripping over words; informal

反義詞
  • fluent

    of speech: smooth and confident, no pauses

  • smooth

    of movement or delivery: no interruptions

文法句型

halting + speech/voice noun

in a halting + manner

用法筆記

Most often modifies words for speech (speech, voice, English, reply, account) or for forward movement (steps, progress, performance). Suggests the cause is internal — nervousness, lack of fluency, emotional strain — not external interruption.

常見錯誤

❌The train made a halting stop at every station.
✅The train made a brief stop at every station.
💡'halting' describes a hesitant manner from someone's lack of confidence, not a normal scheduled stop.