wait
to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens (often followed by for, till, or until): to wait for the bus to arrive.
(of things) to be available or in readiness: A letter is waiting for you.
to remain neglected for a time: a matter that can wait.
to postpone or delay something or to be postponed or delayed: We waited a week and then bought the house. Your vacation will have to wait until next month.
to look forward to eagerly: I'm just waiting for the day somebody knocks him down.
to continue in expectation of; await: I sat nervously on the bench, waiting my turn to audition.
to postpone or delay in expectation: Don't wait supper for me.
Archaic. (of things) to be in readiness for; be reserved for; await: Glory waits thee.
Archaic. to attend upon or escort, especially as a sign of respect.
an act or instance of waiting or awaiting; delay; halt: a wait at the border.
a period or interval of waiting: There will be a long wait between trains.
Theater.
the time between two acts, scenes, or the like.
British.
waits, (formerly) a band of musicians employed by a city or town to play music in parades, for official functions, etc.
a street musician, especially a singer.
one of a band of carolers.
a piece sung by carolers, especially a Christmas carol.
Obsolete. a watchman.
wait on,
to perform the duties of an attendant or servant for.
to supply the wants of a person, as serving a meal or serving a customer in a store.
to call upon or visit (a person, especially a superior): to wait on Her Majesty at the palace.
Falconry. (of a hawk) to soar over ground until prey appears.
Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. to wait for (a person); await.
Also wait upon. to await (an event).
wait up,
to postpone going to bed to await someone's arrival.
Informal. to halt and wait for another to join one, as in running or walking: Wait up, I can't walk so fast.
Idioms about wait
lie in wait, to wait in ambush: The army lay in wait in the forest.
wait table. table (def. 26).
Origin of wait
1synonym study For wait
usage note For wait
Other words for wait
Words that may be confused with wait
- wait , weight
Words Nearby wait
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use wait in a sentence
Nesbitt said she worried that residents who had heard about long phone waits in the early days of vaccine registration were too discouraged to try calling in recent days.
South Africa and U.K. coronavirus variants detected in D.C.; Maryland to open third mass vaccination site | Erin Cox, Julie Zauzmer, Rachel Chason | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostIn Virginia, for example, the wait list for vaccinations in Fairfax County reached 186,602 earlier this week.
Maryland Democrats call for ‘course correction’ amid regionwide frustration over vaccine rollout | Erin Cox, Rebecca Tan, Antonio Olivo | February 3, 2021 | Washington PostThe Zinners have fundraised so they could hire an immigration attorney for Stephanie and her son, but they anticipate a long wait for any resolution.
A Maryland couple opened their home to a Honduran mother and son. They ended up sharing more than space. | Stephanie García | January 30, 2021 | Washington PostAfter two failed appointments and a 45-minute wait at the hospital, her third time in the system was a success.
What went wrong with America’s $44 million vaccine data system? | Cat Ferguson | January 30, 2021 | MIT Technology ReviewMaps could even help community residents compare wait times among different facilities to guide their choices and offer the best possible experiences.
Envisioning better health outcomes for all | Jason Sparapani | January 26, 2021 | MIT Technology Review
So far, all the players seemed to be willing to wait their turn.
The Golden State Preps for the ‘Red Wedding’ of Senate Races | David Freedlander | January 9, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd they might not have to wait that long to show their political heft.
And as he adjusted to this change in circumstances, he screamed at himself a second time: wait!
Powerful Congressman Writes About ‘Fleshy Breasts’ | Asawin Suebsaeng | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTSome refugees wait for days on the ships before setting sail.
“wait…” Suddenly a huge, graceful black marlin leaps out of the water, sending a shower of water ten feet high.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile | Robert Ward | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTAs men fixed in the grip of nightmare, we were powerless—unable to do anything but wait.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonHe didn't need to wait—as the birds did—until an angleworm stuck his head above ground.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole | Arthur Scott BaileyThe pig family did not know when Squinty would be taken away from them, and all they could do was to wait.
Squinty the Comical Pig | Richard BarnumJanet might have said before leaving: "Tea had better not wait too long--Hilda has to be down at Clayhanger's at half-past six."
Hilda Lessways | Arnold BennettAnd Jimmy thought that if he must wait for him again he would wait in a pleasant place.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole | Arthur Scott Bailey
British Dictionary definitions for wait
/ (weɪt) /
(when intr, often foll by for, until, or to) to stay in one place or remain inactive in expectation (of something); hold oneself in readiness (for something)
to delay temporarily or be temporarily delayed: that work can wait
(when intr, usually foll by for) (of things) to be in store (for a person): success waits for you in your new job
(intr) to act as a waiter or waitress
the act or an instance of waiting
a period of waiting
(plural) rare a band of musicians who go around the streets, esp at Christmas, singing and playing carols
an interlude or interval between two acts or scenes in a play, etc
lie in wait to prepare an ambush (for someone)
Origin of wait
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with wait
In addition to the idioms beginning with wait
- wait a minute
- wait and see
- wait at table
- wait for the other shoe to drop
- waiting game
- waiting in the wings
- wait on
- wait on hand and foot
- wait out
- wait up
also see:
- can't wait
- hurry up and wait
- in waiting
- lie in wait
- play a waiting game
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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