noun
wave
wayv
noun
1
A moving ridge on the surface of water, especially the sea.
"Big waves crashed against the rocks during the storm."
2
A moving disturbance that carries energy, such as sound, light, or radio signals.
"Sound waves travel faster through water than through air."
3
A sudden but temporary surge or increase in something.
"A wave of applause swept through the crowd."
"They're bracing for a new wave of the virus this winter."
verb
1
To move your hand back and forth, usually to greet someone or say goodbye.
"She waved to her friends across the street."
2
To move loosely back and forth, or to have an undulating shape.
"The flags waved gently in the breeze."
How to Use Wave
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the moving ridges on water, a hand gesture, or a sudden surge of something.
Common pairings
wave goodbye
crime wave
heat wave
sound wave
Word Forms
waved past tense, waved past tense, waves plural, WAVES plural, waves singular, waves singular
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Big _____ crashed against the rocks during the storm.
Etymology
From Old English wafian ("to wave, to waver"), tracing back to a very old root meaning "to move to and fro."