falter

IPA/ˈfɔːltə(r)/
KK[fˈɔltɚ]IPA/ˈfɔːltər/

falter — verb

  • falterpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • faltershe / she / it
  • falteredpast simple
  • faltering-ing form

1. to start to lose the power, confidence, or determination needed to continue with

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to start to lose the power, confidence, or determination needed to continue with something, so that progress slows down or stops completely

例句

The company's profits began to falter after the new competitor entered the market.

subject can be business/effort; often 'begin to' + falter

Kwame's confidence faltered when he saw how many people were watching him.

falter describes emotions like confidence

同義詞
  • waver

    emphasises uncertainty between choices rather than loss of power

  • weaken

    more general loss of strength, not limited to purpose or progress

  • stumble

    suggests a temporary difficulty rather than a gradual decline

反義詞

文法句型

falter (intransitive)

用法筆記

Often used with 'begin to' to describe a gradual weakening, or with 'never' to emphasise strong persistence. The subject is typically an abstract thing such as confidence, support, an economy, or progress.

常見錯誤

❌She faltered to finish the race.
✅She faltered near the end of the race.
💡'falter' is intransitive and is not followed by a to-infinitive.

2. to step or walk without a steady rhythm, so that you appear to be about to tumbl

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to step or walk without a steady rhythm, so that you appear to be about to tumble down

例句

The old man faltered briefly on the icy path before his daughter caught his arm.

falter + on + [surface] describing unsteady movement

Carrying the heavy box upstairs, Lucia faltered and nearly dropped it.

同義詞
  • stumble

    suggests tripping over something, often leading to a fall

  • totter

    suggests unsteady movement from weakness, especially in older people

  • waver

    can describe movement but more often describes decisions

反義詞
  • stride

    to walk confidently with long steps

文法句型

falter + adverb of place

用法筆記

Describes unsteady movement that is not quite a fall. Often used with a place phrase such as 'on the step', 'across the room', or 'up the hill'. Unlike 'stumble', it suggests continuing movement with difficulty rather than tripping over an obstacle.

常見錯誤

❌He faltered the heavy box.
✅He faltered while carrying the heavy box.
💡'falter' is intransitive and does not take a direct object.

3. to speak with pauses and uncertainty because you feel nervous, emotional, or uns

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to speak with pauses and uncertainty because you feel nervous, emotional, or unsure what to say

例句

Nadia faltered when her teacher asked her to explain the answer in front of the class.

falter when speaking under pressure

Omar's voice faltered as he thanked everyone who had helped him during the project.

voice + falter = voice becomes shaky with emotion

同義詞
  • stammer

    more specific — repeating sounds involuntarily

  • hesitate

    a brief pause rather than a shaky, uncertain delivery

反義詞
  • declare

    to say something clearly and firmly

文法句型

voice falters

falter over + [words/subject]

用法筆記

Can describe either the speaker (person faltering) or the voice itself (voice falters). Both patterns are intransitive. 'Falter over' is the usual construction when the difficulty comes from specific words or topics.

常見錯誤

❌She faltered the introduction.
✅She faltered during the introduction.
💡'falter' is intransitive and cannot take a direct object like 'introduction'.

falter — noun