dither

UK: /ˈdɪðə^r/ US: /ˈdɪðɚ/ ,(diᵺ′ər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

dith•er /ˈdɪðɚ/   n. [countable* singular;
a + ~]

1. a state of excitement or agitated fear:
   in a dither about what to do.

v. [no object]

2. to act without will;
   be hesitant:
   He was dithering and wouldn't make up his mind unless forced to.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dith•er  (diᵺ′ər), n. 

1. a trembling;
   vibration.
2. a state of flustered excitement or fear.

v.i. 

3. to act irresolutely;
   vacillate.
4. British Terms [North Eng.] to tremble with excitement or fear.

• 1640–50; variant of didder (late Middle English diddere); compare dodder

dith′er•er, n. 
dith′er•y, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

dither / ˈdɪðə/ verb (intransitive)

1. to be uncertain or indecisive
2. to be in an agitated state
3. to tremble, as with cold

noun

1. a state of indecision
2. a state of agitation

Etymology: 17th Century: variant of C14 (northern English dialect) didder, of uncertain origin

ˈditherer noun

ˈdithery adjective