falter

UK: /ˈfɔːltə^r/ US: /ˈfɔltɚ/ ,(fôl′tər)

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

fal•ter /ˈfɔltɚ/   v. [no object]

1. to hesitate, be unsure, or fail in action, intent, endurance, etc.;
   give way:
   She never faltered.
2. to speak with hesitation or uncertainty:
   The boy faltered when the police demanded to know his name.
3. to move unsteadily;
   stumble:
   She faltered toward the door.
4. to lose power;
   stop working smoothly:
   The engine faltered and died.

fal•ter•ing, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

fal•ter  (fôl′tər), v.i. 

1. to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent, etc.;
   give way:
   Her courage did not falter at the prospect of hardship.
2. to speak hesitatingly or brokenly.
3. to move unsteadily;
   stumble.

v.t. 

4. to utter hesitatingly or brokenly:
   to falter an apology.

n. 

5. the act of faltering;
   an unsteadiness of gait, voice, action, etc.
6. a faltering sound.

• 1300–50; Middle English falteren, of obscure origin, originally; perh. akin to Old Norse faltrast to bother with, be troubled with

fal′ter•er, n. 
fal′ter•ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

falter / ˈfɔːltə/ verb

1. (intransitive) to be hesitant, weak, or unsure; waver
2. (intransitive) to move unsteadily or hesitantly; stumble
3. to utter haltingly or hesitantly; stammer

noun

1. uncertainty or hesitancy in speech or action
2. a quavering or irregular sound

Etymology: 14th Century: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic faltrast

ˈfalterer noun