verb
waive
wayv
verb
1
To voluntarily give up a right, claim, or requirement.
"She agreed to waive her right to a lawyer during questioning."
"The university waived the application fee for low-income students."
2
In sports, to release a player so other teams can claim them.
"The team waived the veteran quarterback after a poor season."
How to Use Waive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo officially drop or not insist on a right or rule.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "wave" (to move your hand) — they sound identical but are unrelated.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
waive a fee
waive a right
waive liability
Word Forms
waived past tense, waived past tense, waives plural, waives singular, waives singular
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She agreed to _____ her right to a lawyer during questioning.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman weyver, related to the idea of abandoning a claim — ultimately from the same root as "waif."