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wait

pronunciation:: weIt
parts of speech:: verb, noun
phrases:: lie in wait, wait on, wait upon
features:: Note, Homophone Note, Word Builder

part of speech:	verb
inflections:	waits, waiting, waited
definition 1:	to stay in one place until an expected event happens (often followed by "for" or "until"). We're waiting for the mail to arrive. similar words: expect, hold one's horses, sit tight
definition 2:	to slow down or stop until another person catches up. They waited for the little dog who couldn't run very fast. similar words: dawdle, delay, hesitate, loiter
definition 3:	to remain ready for something. He waited for a chance to take her out on a date. similar words: sit tight, watch
definition 4:	to be delayed. The new house will have to wait until we have more money. synonyms: pause similar words: delay, hesitate, procrastinate, recess, suspend
related words:	cater, halt, pause, remain, stay
phrase:	wait on

part of speech:	noun
definition:	the act, instance, or period of waiting. There was a long wait before the movie started. synonyms: delay, holdup similar words: halt, intermission, interval, pause, stay, stop
phrase:	lie in wait, wait upon

wait for or wait on?

Wait on means to serve a customer, as in a restaurant or store. Wait for is more common and means to stay in a place or situation until some expected event happens.
Compare:

A nice person waited on us at the restaurant today.
I waited for my son outside his school.

Homophone Note

The words wait and weight (heaviness) sound alike but have different meanings.

Word Builder: wait +

waitress:
a woman whose job is to wait on customers at a restaurant.
waiter:
a person whose job is to wait on customers at a restaurant.

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