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Definitions for Wait

[1] to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens (often followed by for, till, or until ): to wait for the bus to arrive.
[2] (of things) to be available or in readiness: A letter is waiting for you.
[3] to remain neglected for a time: a matter that can wait.
[4] to postpone or delay something or to be postponed or delayed: We waited a week and then bought the house. Your vacation will have to wait until next month.
[5] to look forward to eagerly: I'm just waiting for the day somebody knocks him down.
[6] to continue as one is in expectation of; await: to wait one's turn at a telephone booth.
[7] to postpone or delay in expectation: Don't wait supper for me.
[8] Archaic . (of things) to be in readiness for; be reserved for; await: Glory waits thee.
[9] Archaic . to attend upon or escort, especially as a sign of respect.
[10] an act or instance of waiting or awaiting; delay; halt: a wait at the border.
[11] a period or interval of waiting: There will be a long wait between trains.
[12] Theater . the time between two acts, scenes, or the like. stage wait.
[13] British . waits, (formerly) a band of musicians employed by a city or town to play music in parades, for official functions, etc. a street musician, especially a singer. one of a band of carolers. a piece sung by carolers, especially a Christmas carol.
[14] Obsolete . a watchman.
[15] wait on , to perform the duties of an attendant or servant for. to supply the wants of a person, as serving a meal or serving a customer in a store. to call upon or visit (a person, especially a superior): to wait on Her Majesty at the palace. Falconry . (of a hawk) to soar over ground until prey appears. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. to wait for (a person); await. Also wait upon. to await (an event).
[16] wait up , to postpone going to bed to await someone's arrival. Informal . to halt and wait for another to join one, as in running or walking: Wait up, I can't walk so fast.
[17] lie in wait , to wait in ambush: The army lay in wait in the forest.
[18] wait table . table(def 26) .
[19] (when intr, often foll by for, until, or to ) to stay in one place or remain inactive in expectation (of something); hold oneself in readiness (for something)
[20] to delay temporarily or be temporarily delayed that work can wait
[21] (when intr, usually foll by for ) (of things) to be in store (for a person) success waits for you in your new job
[22] (intr) to act as a waiter or waitress
[23] the act or an instance of waiting
[24] a period of waiting
[25] (plural) rare a band of musicians who go around the streets, esp at Christmas, singing and playing carols
[26] an interlude or interval between two acts or scenes in a play, etc
[27] lie in wait to prepare an ambush (for someone)

Words related to Wait

interval, linger, hang, await, watch, stay, delay, remain, expect, halt, rest, down, interim, downtime, hold, foresee, anticipate, tarry, abide, stall

Words nearby Wait

waistcloth, waistcoat, waistcoating, waisted, waistline, wait, wait a minute, wait and see, wait at table, wait for the other shoe to drop, wait on

Origin of Wait

1150–1200; (v.) early Middle English waiten < Anglo-French waitier; Old French guaitier < Germanic; cognate with Old High German wahtēn to watch, derivative of wahta a watch (see wake1); (noun) late Middle English < AF derivative of waitier

Words that may be confused with Wait

wait, weight

Word origin for Wait

C12: from Old French waitier; related to Old High German wahtēn to wake 1

Synonyms for Wait

interval, down, downtime, halt, hold, interim, rest, stay, hold-up, on hold, time wasted