verb Uncommon

waive

wayv

Waive (verb) means to voluntarily give up a right, claim, or requirement. Example: “She agreed to waive her right to a lawyer during questioning.”

verb

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."

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 notes

In 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

wave →

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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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

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."

Origin: Anglo-Norman

Synonyms

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abandon abdicate abjure cede dismiss disregard dissolve forgo give up let go put aside relinquish

Antonyms

accept admit approve submit

Related words

believe include hold allow choose agree mission avoid

Rhymes for waive

five give dive live olive drive alive strive derive active arrive native

See all rhymes for waive →

Frequently asked questions

What does “waive” mean?

The word “waive” means to voluntarily give up a right, claim, or requirement. In plain terms, to officially drop or not insist on a right or rule.

How do you pronounce “waive”?

“Waive” is pronounced wayv (/weɪv/ in IPA).

How do you use “waive” in a sentence?

Here is “waive” used in a sentence: “She agreed to waive her right to a lawyer during questioning.”

What is another word for “waive”?

Words with a similar meaning to “waive” include abandon, abdicate, abjure, cede, dismiss and disregard.

What is the opposite of “waive”?

The opposite of “waive” — its antonyms — are accept, admit, approve and submit.

What part of speech is “waive”?

“Waive” is a verb.

Where does the word “waive” come from?

The word “waive” comes from Anglo-Norman. From Anglo-Norman weyver, related to the idea of abandoning a claim — ultimately from the same root as "waif.".

Is “waive” a common word?

“Waive” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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