Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [weyt]
- /weɪt/
- /weɪt/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [weyt]
- /weɪt/
Definitions of wait word
- verb without object 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 wait (of things) to be available or in readiness: A letter is waiting for you. 1
- verb without object wait to remain neglected for a time: a matter that can wait. 1
- verb without object 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 wait to look forward to eagerly: I'm just waiting for the day somebody knocks him down. 1
- verb with object 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 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 Wait
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
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".
wait usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for wait
noun wait
- delay — If you delay doing something, you do not do it immediately or at the planned or expected time, but you leave it until later.
- pause — a temporary stop or rest, especially in speech or action: a short pause after each stroke of the oar.
- interval — an intervening period of time: an interval of 50 years.
- postponement — to put off to a later time; defer: He has postponed his departure until tomorrow.
- gap — a department in SE France. 2179 sq. mi. (5645 sq. km). Capital: Gap.
verb wait
- remain — to continue in the same state; continue to be as specified: to remain at peace.
- hang around — to fasten or attach (a thing) so that it is supported only from above or at a point near its own top; suspend.
- linger — to remain or stay on in a place longer than is usual or expected, as if from reluctance to leave: We lingered awhile after the party.
- stop — to cease from, leave off, or discontinue: to stop running.
- kill time — the system of those sequential relations that any event has to any other, as past, present, or future; indefinite and continuous duration regarded as that in which events succeed one another.
Antonyms for wait
noun wait
- continuation — The continuation of something is the fact that it continues, rather than stopping.
- go — to move or proceed, especially to or from something: They're going by bus.
- act — When you act, you do something for a particular purpose.
- doing — action; performance; execution: Your misfortune is not of my doing.
verb wait
- begin — To begin to do something means to start doing it.
- advance — To advance means to move forward, often in order to attack someone.
- 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.
- leave — to go out of or away from, as a place: to leave the house.
- rush — to move, act, or progress with speed, impetuosity, or violence.
Top questions with wait
- wait but why?
- wait what gif?
- good things come to those who wait?
- wait what?
- how long should you wait to take a pregnancy test?
- how long to wait after eating to run?
- how long to wait to take a pregnancy test?
- why we can't wait?
- how long do you wait to take a pregnancy test?
- how long should i wait to take a pregnancy test?
- wait what meme?
- why wait?
- how long should you wait to have sex?
- those who wait on the lord?
- why we can t wait?