If you speak or do something in a halting way, you speak or do it slowly and with a lot of hesitation, usually because you are uncertain about what to say or do next.
In a halting voice she said that she wished to make a statement.
The officer replied in halting German.
Synonyms: faltering, stumbling, awkward, hesitant More Synonyms of halting
haltinglyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
She spoke haltingly of her deep upset and hurt.
halting in British English
(ˈhɔːltɪŋ)
adjective
1.
hesitant
halting speech
2.
lame
Derived forms
haltingly (ˈhaltingly)
adverb
haltingness (ˈhaltingness)
noun
halting in American English
(ˈhɔltɪŋ)
adjective
1.
limping, awkward, or unsteady
a halting gait
2.
marked by hesitation or uncertainty; jerky, disconnected, etc.
halting speech
Derived forms
haltingly (ˈhaltingly)
adverb
Examples of 'halting' in a sentence
halting
After some halting conversation, concerned mainly with the difficulties of the day, Orpishurda produced a bottle.
Aldiss, Brian SOMEWHERE EAST OF LIFE (2004)
The house was silent; they walked quietly forward, halting level with the open drawing room door.
Stephanie Laurens ALL ABOUT LOVE (2004)
(adjective)
Definition
hesitant or uncertain
The officer replied in halting German.
Synonyms
faltering
He spoke in faltering English.
stumbling
awkward
hesitant
I was hesitant about accepting the invitation.
laboured
The prose of his official communications was so laboured, pompous and verbose.
stammering
imperfect
stuttering
Additional synonyms
in the sense of hesitant
Definition
doubtful and unsure in speech or action
I was hesitant about accepting the invitation.
Synonyms
uncertain,
reluctant,
shy,
halting,
doubtful,
sceptical,
unsure,
hesitating,
wavering,
timid,
diffident,
lacking confidence,
vacillating,
hanging back,
irresolute,
half-arsed (British, slang),
half-assed (US, Canadian, slang),
half-hearted
in the sense of laboured
The prose of his official communications was so laboured, pompous and verbose.