waiting
6 synonyms for waiting, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The act of remaining somewhere until something happens.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
hold-up
How to use waiting
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
waiting room
waiting list
the waiting game
Etymology
From Middle English "waitynge", formed from "wait" plus the "-ing" ending.
Full origin of waiting →Frequently asked questions
What does “waiting” mean?
The word “waiting” means the act of remaining somewhere until something happens. In plain terms, the state or action of staying somewhere until an expected event occurs.
How do you pronounce “waiting”?
“Waiting” is pronounced WAY-tihng ([ˈweɪ̯ɾɪŋ] in IPA).
How do you use “waiting” in a sentence?
Here is “waiting” used in a sentence: “The waiting was the hardest part of the whole process.”
What part of speech is “waiting”?
“Waiting” is a noun.
Where does the word “waiting” come from?
The word “waiting” comes from Middle English. From Middle English "waitynge", formed from "wait" plus the "-ing" ending.
Is “waiting” a common word?
“Waiting” is a very common word in modern English.
What is an example of waiting?
Everyday examples include sitting in a doctor's waiting room until your name is called, standing in a queue at a shop, or staying by the phone until a call comes. In each case, waiting is the act of remaining in place, usually pausing your activity, until an expected event finally happens.
What is the difference between waiting and delay?
Waiting is what a person does — remaining somewhere until something happens. A delay is the cause: an event occurring later than planned. You wait because of a delay. For example, a delayed train leaves passengers waiting on the platform. One is the action; the other is the hold-up behind it.
Is waiting a noun or a verb?
It can be both. As a verb it is the "-ing" form of "wait" ("she is waiting outside"). As a noun, "waiting" names the act itself ("the waiting was unbearable") and appears in set phrases like "waiting room," "waiting list," and "lady-in-waiting." The core meaning stays close in either use.
