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wait
- pronunciation:
- weIt
- parts of speech:
- intransitive verb, transitive verb, noun
- phrases:
- wait up, wait upon, wait on, lie in wait, can't wait
- features:
- Note, Homophone Note, Word Builder
| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
waited, waiting, waits |
| definition 1: |
to keep oneself inactive or in one place until an anticipated event occurs (often fol. by for or until).
We're waiting for the mail to arrive.
- synonyms:
- await, bide
- similar words:
- bide one's time, expect, hang on, hold one's horses, sit tight
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| definition 2: |
to slow down or linger until another person catches up.
He was slow so we waited for him.- synonyms:
- linger, pause
- similar words:
- bide, dally, dawdle, delay, dilly-dally, hang on, hesitate, loiter, tarry
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| definition 3: |
to remain ready for or in expectation of something.
- synonyms:
- abide, await
- similar words:
- bide, hang on, sit tight, watch
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| definition 4: |
to be temporarily delayed or neglected.
The new house will have to wait until we have more money.- synonyms:
- pause
- similar words:
- delay, filibuster, hesitate, procrastinate, recess, suspend
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| definition 5: |
to work as a waitress or waiter.
- synonyms:
- serve
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| related words: |
bide, cater, defer, halt, listen, pause, remain, stand, stay |
| phrase: |
wait up |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to stay in one place, position, or situation in expectation of; await.
Please wait your turn to be served.- synonyms:
- abide, anticipate, await
- similar words:
- count on, expect
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| definition 2: |
to cause to be delayed; postpone.
I will be late so don't wait dinner for me.- synonyms:
- defer, delay, postpone
- similar words:
- hold, procrastinate, prorogue, shelve, stall, stay, suspend, table
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| related words: |
defer, halt |
| phrase: |
wait upon |
| phrase: |
wait on |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition: |
the act, instance, or period of waiting.
- synonyms:
- delay, holdup
- similar words:
- deferment, halt, holding pattern, intermission, interval, moratorium, pause, stay, stop, stopover, suspension
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| phrase: |
lie in wait |
| phrase: |
can't wait |
wait for or wait on?
Wait on means to serve a customer, as in a restaurant or store. Wait for is more common and means to stay in a place or situation until some expected event happens. Compare: - A nice person waited on us at the restaurant today.
- I waited for my son outside his school.
The words wait and weight (heaviness) sound alike but have different meanings.
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