wait
wayt
Wait (noun) means a period spent staying where you are, or delaying action, until something happens. Example: “The wait at the clinic was much longer than we had expected.”
noun
1
A period spent staying where you are, or delaying action, until something happens.
"The wait at the clinic was much longer than we had expected."
"It was worth the long wait to see the sunrise from the summit."
"We had only a short wait for the ferry, so we bought some coffee."
verb
1
To stay in one place or delay acting until something happens.
"We waited an hour for the bus to arrive."
"Please wait here until your name is called."
"Wait for me at the gate and I will be there soon."
2
To work serving customers at tables, especially in a restaurant.
"She waited tables all through university to pay her rent."
"He waits on tables at a small cafe near the harbour."
"My cousin is looking for a job waiting tables this summer."
interjection
1
Used to tell someone to pause or stop for a moment.
""Wait, I think I left my keys inside!""
"Wait, that doesn't sound right, so let me check the map again."
"Wait! You forgot your umbrella and it's pouring outside."
How to use wait
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stay put until something happens, or (as a phrase) to serve tables.
Common mistake
"Wait for" needs the preposition when there's an object: "wait for the bus", not "wait the bus".
Easily confused with
Common pairings
wait for
wait tables
wait in line
worth the wait
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- waits
- Past tense
- waited
- Archaic forms
- waitest, waitedst, waiteth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ at the clinic was much longer than we had expected.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman "waiter" (to watch or guard), from a Frankish word for "watch" — related to the modern word "watch" itself.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for wait
See all rhymes for wait →Frequently asked questions
What does “wait” mean?
The word “wait” means to stay in one place or delay acting until something happens. In plain terms, to stay put until something happens, or (as a phrase) to serve tables.
How do you pronounce “wait”?
“Wait” is pronounced wayt (/weɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “wait” in a sentence?
Here is “wait” used in a sentence: “We waited an hour for the bus to arrive.”
What is another word for “wait”?
Words with a similar meaning to “wait” include await, wait for, serve, tend, postpone and abide.
What is the opposite of “wait”?
The opposite of “wait” — its antonyms — are act, grasp, grasp the nettle, jump at the chance and go it blind.
What part of speech is “wait”?
Depending on how it is used, “wait” can be a verb and an interjection.
Where does the word “wait” come from?
The word “wait” comes from Anglo-Norman. From Anglo-Norman "waiter" (to watch or guard), from a Frankish word for "watch" — related to the modern word "watch" itself.
Is “wait” a common word?
“Wait” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'wait' and 'await'?
They mean nearly the same thing, but the grammar differs. 'Wait' needs 'for' before an object - you wait for a bus. 'Await' takes the object directly, with no preposition - you await a reply. 'Await' is also more formal and usually written. In casual speech, 'wait for' is far more common.
What is the difference between 'wait for' and 'wait on'?
'Wait for' means to stay until someone or something arrives or happens. 'Wait on' traditionally means to serve, as a waiter waits on diners. In informal American English, 'wait on' is increasingly used to mean 'wait for,' but careful writing still keeps the two apart.
What is the difference between 'wait' and 'stay'?
To stay is simply to remain in a place. To wait is to remain until something specific happens, with that expectation built in. You might stay home all day, but you wait for a phone call. Waiting always points toward an event, whereas staying carries no such expectation.
What is an example of 'wait' in a sentence?
'Please wait here until I return,' 'we waited an hour for the train,' and 'I can't wait to see you' all use the verb. The first two involve delaying and staying put, while 'can't wait' expresses eager anticipation rather than literal waiting.
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