adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:HH AO1 L T IH0 NG L IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adv
Meaning 1
In a halting or limping manner; full of pauses or hesitation.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
He spoke haltingly of his battle with cancer and its affect on his family.
I just learned how to read Korean this summer and am still new to the language, so I still read and pronounce the words haltingly when I try to read a sentence in Korean. I take over a minute, whereas one with an excellent command of the Korean language would take 12.5 seconds.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adverb
Meaning 2
in a halting manner
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
he spoke haltingly
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English halting Middle English -ly English -ly English haltingly From halting + -ly.
Across languages
Translations
4 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Dagbani:
baabaa
— full of pauses or hesitation
German:
zögernd
— full of pauses or hesitation
Japanese:
もじもじ
(mojimoji)
— full of pauses or hesitation
Korean:
더듬거리며
(deodeumgeorimyeo)
— full of pauses or hesitation
