To wave is to move your hand, or for something to move back and forth. To waive is to give up a right, claim or requirement — waive the fee, waive your right to appeal. "Waive your hand" and "wave the fee" are both wrong, and only one of them is merely funny.
The core difference
Homophones, one physical and one legal.
- wave — move to and fro; a moving ridge of water: wave goodbye.
- waive — relinquish a right or requirement: waive the deposit.
The related noun
A waiver is the document or act of giving something up — signing a waiver. Note the spelling: it takes the waive stem, so waiver not waver. A waver is something else again: to hesitate or falter.
Three-way confusion
Wave, waive and waver all circulate together. Waving is a gesture, waiving is giving up a claim, and wavering is hesitating — and the noun of the second is waiver, which looks like the third.
Frequently asked questions
Which one means to give up a right?
Waive. A wave is a gesture or a movement of water.
Is it waiver or waver?
A waiver is a document giving up a right. To waver is to hesitate. They are different words.
Can you waive a requirement?
Yes — that is the standard use: to set aside a rule, fee or condition that would otherwise apply.