How Do You Spell VACILLATE?

Pronunciation: [vˈasɪlˌe͡ɪt] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "vacillate" may appear daunting, but it follows a simple pattern. The first syllable is pronounced /ˈvæs/ , the second syllable is pronounced /ɪ/ , and the final syllable is pronounced /leɪt/. The double "l" in the second syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound followed by a schwa sound. This word means to sway or hesitate between two choices or opinions. Its spelling may be confusing, but its meaning is clear, and it is an important word for decision-making and communication.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Conjugate verb
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VACILLATE Meaning and Definition

  1. Vacillate is a verb that describes the act of wavering between different options or courses of action, often due to indecisiveness or uncertainty. It implies a back-and-forth movement or fluctuation in opinions, beliefs, or feelings. When someone vacillates, they are unable to make a firm or clear choice, resulting in a conflict or hesitation between two or more alternatives.

    This term can also refer to a physical swaying or oscillation, although its primary use refers to mental or emotional vacillation. It typically suggests a lack of steadfastness or consistency in decision-making, conveying a state of being torn or conflicted between conflicting options.

    Vacillate can also describe the act of being easily influenced or swayed by external factors, making one susceptible to changing one's mind. It implies a certain level of unpredictability or inconsistency in behavior or beliefs.

    In summary, to vacillate means to waver or fluctuate between different choices or opinions, showing an inability to make a firm decision. It conveys a sense of uncertainty, indecisiveness, or conflicting feelings, as well as a susceptibility to external influences and a lack of consistency in thoughts or actions.

  2. To waver; to fluctuate in mind or opinion; to be unsteady or inconstant.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for VACILLATE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for VACILLATE

Etymology of VACILLATE

The word "vacillate" originates from the Latin verb "vacillare", which means "to sway" or "to waver". It is derived from the noun "vacuus", meaning "empty" or "void", which also gave rise to words like "vacant" and "vacuum". In English, "vacillate" evolved to depict the internal struggle or hesitation experienced when making a decision or choice.

Idioms with the word VACILLATE

  • vacillate between (sm and sm else) (or sth and sth else) The idiom "vacillate between (someone or something) and (someone or something else)" means to be unable to make a decision or choose between two options. It implies going back and forth between different choices or alternatives, often showing indecisiveness or uncertainty.
  • vacillate between The idiom "vacillate between" means to be uncertain or indecisive, wavering between two options or opinions. It signifies the inability to make a firm or consistent choice, often resulting in constant shifts or changes in one's stance or feelings.

Similar spelling words for VACILLATE

Conjugate verb Vacillate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have vacillated
you would have vacillated
he/she/it would have vacillated
we would have vacillated
they would have vacillated
I would have vacillate
you would have vacillate
he/she/it would have vacillate
we would have vacillate
they would have vacillate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been vacillating
you would have been vacillating
he/she/it would have been vacillating
we would have been vacillating
they would have been vacillating

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would vacillate
you would vacillate
he/she/it would vacillate
we would vacillate
they would vacillate

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be vacillating
you would be vacillating
he/she/it would be vacillating
we would be vacillating
they would be vacillating

FUTURE

I will vacillate
you will vacillate
he/she/it will vacillate
we will vacillate
they will vacillate

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be vacillating
you will be vacillating
he/she/it will be vacillating
we will be vacillating
they will be vacillating

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have vacillated
you will have vacillated
he/she/it will have vacillated
we will have vacillated
they will have vacillated

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been vacillating
you will have been vacillating
he/she/it will have been vacillating
we will have been vacillating
they will have been vacillating

IMPERATIVE

you vacillate
we let´s vacillate

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to vacillate

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was vacillating
you were vacillating
he/she/it was vacillating
we were vacillating
they were vacillating

PAST PARTICIPLE

vacillated

PAST PERFECT

I had vacillated
you had vacillated
he/she/it had vacillated
we had vacillated
they had vacillated

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been vacillating
you had been vacillating
he/she/it had been vacillating
we had been vacillating
they had been vacillating

PRESENT

I vacillate
you vacillate
he/she/it vacillates
we vacillate
they vacillate

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am vacillating
you are vacillating
he/she/it is vacillating
we are vacillating
they are vacillating

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

vacillating

PRESENT PERFECT

I have vacillated
you have vacillated
he/she/it has vacillated
we have vacillated
they have vacillated

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been vacillating
you have been vacillating
he/she/it has been vacillating
we have been vacillating
they have been vacillating

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it vacillate

SIMPLE PAST

I vacillated
you vacillated
he/she/it vacillated
we vacillated
they vacillated