Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [lahy in weyt]
- /laɪ ɪn weɪt/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [lahy in weyt]
- /laɪ ɪn weɪt/
Definitions of lie in wait words
- verb without object lie in wait 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. 1
- verb without object lie in wait (of things) to be available or in readiness: A letter is waiting for you. 1
- verb without object lie in wait to remain neglected for a time: a matter that can wait. 1
- verb without object lie in wait 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. 1
- verb without object lie in wait to look forward to eagerly: I'm just waiting for the day somebody knocks him down. 1
- verb with object lie in wait to continue as one is in expectation of; await: to wait one's turn at a telephone booth. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of lie in wait
First appearance:
before 1150 One of the 7% oldest English words
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
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Lie in wait
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
lie in wait popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 95% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
lie in wait usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for lie in wait
verb lie in wait
- sit tight — to rest with the body supported by the buttocks or thighs; be seated.
- dwell — to live or stay as a permanent resident; reside.
- reside — to apply new siding, as to a house.
- await — If you await someone or something, you wait for them.
- attend — If you attend a meeting or other event, you are present at it.
Antonyms for lie in wait
verb lie in wait
- complete — You use complete to emphasize that something is as great in extent, degree, or amount as it possibly can be.
- cease — If something ceases, it stops happening or existing.
- hurry — to move, proceed, or act with haste (often followed by up): Hurry, or we'll be late. Hurry up, it's starting to rain.
- go — to move or proceed, especially to or from something: They're going by bus.
- leave — to go out of or away from, as a place: to leave the house.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with l
- Words starting with li
- Words starting with lie
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- Words starting with lieinw
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- Words starting with lieinwait