Hesitancy is the quality of pausing or holding back before acting, speaking, or deciding. When you feel hesitancy, you're uncertain about what to do next. You might notice hesitancy in yourself when you raise your hand in class but aren't quite sure your answer is right, or when you're about to jump off the diving board but need a moment to gather your courage.

Hesitancy shows up as a pause, a moment of doubt, or a feeling of being stuck between choices. A friend might speak with hesitancy when admitting they broke something, their words coming slowly because they're worried about the reaction. A chess player might move their hand toward a piece, then pull back with hesitancy, reconsidering their strategy.

Sometimes hesitancy is wise: it's your mind telling you to think carefully before acting. Other times it holds you back unnecessarily, like when hesitancy keeps you from trying something new even though the risk is small.

The related verb is hesitate: someone might say, “Don't hesitate to ask for help.” Someone who often pauses before acting might be described as hesitant.