await

[ uh-weyt ]

/ əˈweɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR await ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to wait for; expect; look for: He is still awaiting an answer.

to be in store for; be imminent: A pleasant surprise awaits her in today's mail.

Obsolete. to lie in wait for.

verb (used without object)

to wait, as in expectation.

RELATED WORDS

anticipate, attend, stay, sweat, hope

Nearby words

aw, aw-shucks, awa, awa', awacs, await, awaji, awake, awaken, awakening, award

Origin of await

1200–50; Middle English awaiten < Old North French awaitier, equivalent to a- a-⁵ + waitier to wait

SYNONYMS FOR await

1 See expect.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR await ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsa·wait·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for await

The pyramids of Meroe await a day when stability will allow outsiders to peek at a forgotten ancient kingdom.
Egypt Ain’t The Only Pyramid Show In Town|Nina Strochlic|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They are being held in a prison in Sicily and await judicial action.
Hundreds of Migrants are Reported Drowned by Traffickers Near Malta|Barbie Latza Nadeau|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They will be subjected to inquisition, and will await resurrection in the grave like any normal Muslim.
An Ex-Radical's Open Letter to ISIS Fighters: Quit Now While You Can!|Maajid Nawaz|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The officers warned my cowering Oma (grandma) what might await the cousin if she ever did return.
Survived Hitler, Returned to Germany|Steve North|May 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And now, they await a potential appeals process while continuing to chip away at piles of litigation.
France Convicts Rwanda Genocidaire|Nina Strochlic|March 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nothing, unless you like to sit by the fire and await the execution.
The Cruise of the "Lively Bee"|John De Morgan
"I will await you," said Clarence; and he bowed Mr. Brown out of the room.
The Disowned, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton
But there was now no alternative but to await the return of the tapuyo, or the time that would tell he was never more to return.
Afloat in the Forest|Mayne Reid
Josh saw them starting toward him as if under the impression that he would be silly enough to await their coming.
The Big Five Motorcycle Boys on the Battle Line|Ralph Marlow
I beg you all to remain here and to await the further orders of the captain.
Banzai!|Ferdinand Heinrich Grautoff

British Dictionary definitions for await

await

/ (əˈweɪt) /

verb

(tr) to wait for; expect

(tr) to be in store for

(intr) to wait, esp with expectation

(tr) obsolete to wait for in order to ambush

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for await

await

early 13c., awaiten, from Old North French awaitier (Old French agaitier) "to lie in wait for, watch, observe," from a- "to" (see ad-) + waitier "to watch" (see wait (v.)). Originally especially with a hostile sense. Related: Awaited; awaiting.