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wait
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- 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
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| 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
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| definition 3: |
to remain ready for something.
He waited for a chance to take her out on a date.- similar words:
- sit tight, watch
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| 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
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| related words: |
cater, halt, pause, remain, stay |
| phrase: |
wait on |
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| 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
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| 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.
The words wait and weight (heaviness) sound alike but have different meanings.
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