Halting
/ˈhɔːltɪŋ/
Definitions
2 meaningsCharacterized by hesitations or stops; unsteady.
/ˈhɔːltɪŋ/
Hesitant or tentative in speech or movement.
She spoke in halting English, struggling to find the right words.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're learning a new language and your sentences are slow and not very smooth. That's halting! It describes something that's not smooth or certain.
👶 For kids: Like when you're learning to ride a bike and your ride is stop-start and not smooth.
More Examples
The music was punctuated by a halting rhythm.
His halting steps showed his fear.
How It's Used
"His halting English made it difficult to understand him."
"The soldier made a halting advance toward the enemy."
In the process of stopping or bringing to a stop.
/ˈhɔːltɪŋ/
Present participle of "halt"
The car was halting at the stop sign.
💡 Simply: This is the 'now' version of 'stop'. It's like something is in the middle of stopping.
👶 For kids: When something is slowing down or stopping.
More Examples
The negotiations were halting.
The project is halting due to lack of funding.
How It's Used
"The soldiers were halting and awaiting orders."
"The project was halting due to lack of funding."
Synonyms & Antonyms
From the verb "halt", which derives from Old English *healtian* 'to limp', related to *healt* 'lame'. The -ing suffix indicates the present participle or gerund form.
Used in literature and everyday language for centuries, originally to describe physical limping.
Memory tip
Think of someone trying to walk on ice – their steps are halting, unsteady.
Word Origin
"to limp"