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Meaning & use

dithering

noun, adjective·Everydayinformal

Last updated

UK/ˈdɪðərɪŋ/
US/ˈdɪðərɪŋ/

“dithering” is a form of “dither”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. noununcountabledisapproving

    A state of nervous indecision in which someone cannot make up their mind and wastes time.

    Grammar: Normally has no plural: all this dithering is costing us.

    Patterns

    • dithering over something

    Enough dithering; just pick a color.

    Their dithering over the contract cost them the deal.

    After weeks of dithering, he finally booked the flight.

  2. adjectivebefore a noundisapproving

    Hesitating and unable to decide, often in a way that annoys other people.

    Grammar: Comes before a noun: a dithering manager.

    Patterns

    • a dithering X

    The dithering committee missed the deadline.

    He stood there, a dithering wreck, outside the interview room.

    Nobody trusted the dithering leadership.

  3. noununcountabletechnicalcomputing

    In computing and imaging, a technique that adds small patterns or noise to simulate more colors or smooth out banding.

    Grammar: Used as a mass noun: dithering reduces visible bands.

    Patterns

    • dithering of an image

    Dithering makes a gradient look smoother on a limited palette.

    The old game used dithering to fake extra colors.

    Turn on dithering when you reduce the image to 256 colors.

Word forms

base formdither
third person singulardithers
past tensedithered

Common combinations

stop dithering
Stop dithering and tell me what you want.
dithering over
She was dithering over which coat to buy.
no more dithering
There was no more dithering once the offer arrived.
dithering about
He kept dithering about whether to apply.
dithering around
They are dithering around when they should be acting.
image dithering
Image dithering helps when you convert a photo to few colors.

Synonyms and how they differ

hesitating
Hesitating is neutral and can be brief, whereas dithering suggests a longer, more irritating delay.
vacillating
Vacillating is more formal and implies swinging between choices.
dawdling
Dawdling is about moving slowly, not about being unable to decide.
wavering
Wavering suggests weakening in a decision already made.

Opposites

decisiveness

Word family

dither verb
To hesitate nervously over a decision.
dithered verb
Past form of dither.
ditherer noun
A person who cannot decide.
dithery adjective
Prone to indecision.

Commonly confused: dithering or deliberating?

dithering vs deliberating

Deliberating is careful, productive thought, while dithering is unproductive hesitation.

Practice

Which word best completes: 'After weeks of ___, the council still had not chosen a site.'

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