await

[ uh-weyt ]

/ əˈweɪt /

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See synonyms for: await / awaited / awaiting / awaits 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.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of await

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English awaiten, from Old North French awaitier (Old French aguaitier ), equivalent to a- a-⁵ + waitier wait

OTHER WORDS FROM await

a·wait·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use await in a sentence

We’ve asked if it sold part or all of its stake, possibly earlier this year, and are awaiting word back.
A16z is now managing $16.5 billion, after announcing two new funds|Natasha Mascarenhas|November 20, 2020|TechCrunch
It was one of the first games that asked players to behave as if they were actually creeping through the dark halls of the Tower of Latria, hearing bells jingle down the hallway as some Eldritch horror awaits.
‘Demon’s Souls’ review: The ideal PlayStation 5 launch game|Gene Park|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
As I collected recipes to make meals that help power you onward during quests, I got emotional as I thought about the more muted Thanksgiving that awaits us this year in the real world.
‘Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity’: A semi-satisfying new piece of the ‘Zelda’ universe|Harold Goldberg|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Union officials said youths at the facility were scheduled to be tested Thursday, and 20 workers are awaiting results.
Smithsonian museums, zoo to close as coronavirus caseload in D.C. region hits record for 16th day|Dana Hedgpeth, Ovetta Wiggins|November 19, 2020|Washington Post

The woman has since pleaded guilty to federal forced labor and other charges and is awaiting sentencing.
Inside the Lives of Immigrant Teens Working Dangerous Night Shifts in Suburban Factories|by Melissa Sanchez|November 19, 2020|ProPublica
Dozens of tearful family members huddled at the Surabaya and Singapore airports, anxiously awaiting news of loved ones.
The Presumed Crash of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 Is Nothing Like MH370|Lennox Samuels|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
According to Kostick, while awaiting a van to transport Stewart to the nearest police station, his mood changed.
Before Eric Garner, There Was Michael Stewart: The Tragic Story of the Real-Life Radio Raheem|Marlow Stern|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Still other media sources are reporting that the DNA test is awaiting results.
The ISIS Wife Swap Mystery|Jacob Siegel|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This is but a mere campfire compared to the potential inferno awaiting us.
‘Why Have I Lost Control?’: Cory Booker in ’92 on Rodney King Echoes Ferguson|Cory Booker|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Kijima is awaiting the outcome of an appeal to the Japanese Supreme Court.
Beware of Japan’s “Black Widows”|Jake Adelstein|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This talk had been on that very day before, while they sat impatiently awaiting her arrival, and it had made John Chester wince.
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond
He had been dead three days, and his friends were awaiting Tati to pay the last honours to the deceased.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
Your letters are awaiting me in Paris, and my heart yearns for them, but we must remain here a few days longer.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
Then Winston turned suddenly, and running down the stairway shook the man awaiting him by the arm.
Winston of the Prairie|Harold Bindloss
Several months lingered slowly away while these men were awaiting their trial.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott

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

await

Origin of await

OTHER WORDS FROM await

Words related to await

How to use await in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for await