waiting

[wey-ting]

noun

1. a period of waiting; pause, interval, or delay.

adjective

1. serving or being in attendance.

   waiting man;

   waiting maid;

   waiting woman.

Other Word Forms

• waitingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of waiting¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English (noun); wait, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in waiting, in attendance, as upon a royal personage.

Example Sentences

Soto knew that waiting would only exacerbate the literary loss; if he wanted change, he said he needed to make it.

From Los Angeles Times

"I'll be waiting for my turn," the soft-spoken New Englander said.

From BBC

Those waiting excitedly to see what Son could do in LA have not been disappointed, with him even exceeding expectations.

From BBC

When I got out, my husband was waiting.

From Los Angeles Times

But he’s still waiting for the refund on the jersey he sent back.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accessible 
• apt 
• handy 
• qualified 
• ripe