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wait
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- pronunciation:
- weIt
- parts of speech:
- intransitive verb, transitive verb, noun
- phrases:
- can't wait, lie in wait, wait around, wait on, wait up, wait upon
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb, noun), Note, Homophone Note, Word Builder
| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
waits, waiting, waited |
| 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 come.She waited for him at the theater, but he never arrived.I waited at the bus stop for at least an hour.They waited to tell her the awful news until after the party.
- 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.
We're all waiting for spring.He was waiting for his chance to move up in the company.- 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.
I've worked as a host in restaurants, but I've never waited before.- synonyms:
- serve
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| related words: |
bide, cater, defer, halt, pause, remain, stand, stay |
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| 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 |
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| phrase: |
wait on, wait upon |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition: |
the act, instance, or period of waiting.
There was a long wait to see the doctor.- synonyms:
- delay, holdup
- similar words:
- deferment, halt, holding pattern, intermission, interval, moratorium, pause, stay, stop, stopover, suspension
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| phrase: |
can't wait, lie in wait, wait around |
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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