wait
|
|
- pronunciation:
- weIt
- parts of speech:
- verb, noun
- features:
- Note, Homophone Note, Word Builder
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
waits, waiting, waited |
| definition 1: |
When you wait, you stay where you are until something happens that you are expecting. When you wait for the bus, you stay at the bus stop until the bus comes.
We waited until it stopped raining before going outside.We usually have to wait a while at the dentist's office.
- similar words:
- expect
|
| definition 2: |
When you wait your turn, you stay back and don't do anything until it is your turn to do it.
Lots of kids were waiting their turn to buy ice cream.- synonyms:
- anticipate
- similar words:
- expect
|
| definition 3: |
When you wait for something, it means that you stay ready for it.
Mr. Doyle wanted a promotion, and he was waiting for a chance to show the boss all his abilities.- similar words:
- watch
|
| related words: |
halt, pause, remain, stay |
|
|
|
|
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition: |
A wait is a period of waiting.
There was a long wait before the passengers could finally get off the airplane.- synonyms:
- delay
- similar words:
- halt, interval, pause, stay, stop
|
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.
The words
wait and
weight (heaviness) sound alike but have different meanings.