FALTER

Pronunciation (US):

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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:

1. be unsure or weak

2. move hesitatingly, as if about to give way

3. walk unsteadily

4. speak haltingly

  Familiarity information: FALTER used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FALTER (noun)

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)

• FALTER (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they falter    ... he / she / it falters   
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:

bumble; falter; stumble

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)