verb / noun

dither

DITH-er/ˈdɪðər/

Nervous uncertainty about what to do.

The shopper is in a dither over which necktie to choose.

A visibly anxious shopper wavers between two neckties, holding both against his shirt without choosing while a shop assistant waits.

Etymology

Middle English didderen meant to quake or tremble. Dither later shifted from physical trembling to wavering in opinion or decision; the earlier word’s origin is uncertain.

In context

The Scottish Parliament85:55

please do not be like Fergus Ewing, continuing to dither and delay. You must now be uncomfortable about sitting on the fence. Get over it and come up with a policy.

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee Debate: Future Agriculture Policy in Scotland - 25 May 2023

More examples

Don't dither over the menu; just choose something.
He dithered about whether to call or send a message.
The conflicting advice leaves me in a dither.

Forms

dither · dithers · dithered · dithering

ditherer noun — Someone who hesitates nervously over decisions.

Similar words

hesitate: Means pausing before acting, without necessarily being nervously indecisive.
vacillate: Emphasizes repeatedly switching between choices rather than nervous uncertainty.
indecision: Names difficulty deciding without necessarily suggesting nervous agitation.