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Glite Dictionary
⏳ To stay until ⏳ A delay 🍽️ To serve food
to wait

to wait

∞ 1.0
To stay in one place or delay action until something happens
  • verb
  • /weɪt/
translation icon : esperar
  • Please wait for the bus to arrive before crossing the street.
  • wait a minute
  • wait and see
  • wait in line

The last two questions you'll have to wait for next week's class.

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Examples

  • Are you waiting for me to cry?

    The Hustler (1961)

  • For safety, they had been waiting up in a tree for two or three hours.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Or are you just waiting for me to do it?

    Babes (2024)

  • There is a horse waiting outside.

    Love Don’t Fade Away (2023)

  • I have my own driver waiting.

    The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)

  • What should I do while I wait here with my mask?

  • I'll be waiting in the pub.

    Straw Dogs (1971)

  • Children run toward them in excitement, waiting for their arrival at the edge of the hamlet.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Climbers reported being stuck in lines, waiting their turn to stand on the summit.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Early on, Offred says I wait, I compose myself.

    TED-Ed

Synonyms

to hold on
vsto wait
  • Informal
∞ 1.3

To wait for a short time during a phone call

is a broader delay or remaining until an event or person appears
to await
vsto wait
522 3.2

To wait for something with hope or excitement

is a neutral delay or remaining until something happens rather than anticipation
to stand by
vsto wait
503 2.6

Be ready to act if needed

is a general remaining or delay, not only about being ready to act
to stick around
vsto wait
  • Informal
332 2.9

Stay in a place to wait for something

is the broader action of delaying or remaining until an occurrence
to wait up
vsto wait
  • Informal
170 3.6

Stay awake at home until someone comes

is the general act of delaying or remaining, not specifically staying awake
to stall
vsto wait
166 4.3

To delay doing something on purpose to get more time

is a neutral delay or remaining, not always done to gain time
to hang on
vsto wait
  • Informal
111 3.4

To wait a short time or keep going through a hard time

applies to delays of any length, not only brief ones
to wait on
vsto wait
  • US
83 3.9

To delay doing something until someone answers or a situation changes

is broader, covering remaining in place or delaying for many reasons
to sit tight
vsto wait
  • Informal
80 3.7

To wait patiently and not act

is the broad act of delaying or remaining until something happens
to hold off
vsto wait
78 3.8

To wait before doing something

covers staying in place or delaying without implying motive
to stand in line
vsto wait
  • US
76 1.7

To wait in a line of people for your turn

is a broader form of delay, not only queuing for service
to wait around
vsto wait
  • Informal
71 2.5

To spend time doing nothing while waiting for someone or something

is a general delay that can be purposeful, not only idle passing of time
to wait out
vsto wait
42 4.3

Stay where you are until bad weather or danger passes

is a general form of delay, not only enduring unpleasant situations
to hold off on
vsto wait
37 4.2

To wait before doing something

means to delay action or remain until an event or person arrives
to bide
vsto wait
23 7.4

To wait patiently for the right time to act

is broader, used for any delaying or remaining, not only tactical patience
to hang tight
vsto wait
  • Informal
22 7.4

Wait patiently and stay calm during a delay

is used for general delaying until a future event or arrival
to queue
vsto wait
  • UK
20 3.4

To form or join a line while waiting

is the general act of delaying or remaining, not limited to forming lines
to wait your turn
vsto wait
17 2.0

Be patient and let others go before you until it is your turn

is the general act of delaying or remaining, beyond simple turn-taking
to hold back
vsto wait
16 3.5

Wait before doing something because you feel unsure

involves staying in one place or delaying action until something happens
to wait in the wings
vsto wait
11 5.8

To be ready to take a job or role when a chance comes

is broader, covering passive remaining as well as readiness to act
to hold one's breath
vsto wait
10 4.1

To stop breathing for a short time or wait anxiously

is a general delaying or remaining without implying anxiety
to stall for time
vsto wait
  • Informal
6 4.8

To delay doing something to get more time

is a neutral remaining action rather than strategic delay
to hang about
vsto wait
  • UK
3 4.4

To stay in a place without a clear reason

is the neutral act of remaining until something happens, not aimless lingering
to sit out
vsto wait
2 3.9

Stay in a place or situation until something boring ends

is the general act of delaying or remaining without implying endurance
to wait for one's ship to come in
vsto wait
  • Informal
1 8.4

To hope to get rich without doing anything

is a general delay until something happens, not focused only on future riches
to sit on a decision
vsto wait
4.2

Delay making a decision by waiting instead of choosing

is broader, not limited to postponing decisions only
to bide one's time
vsto wait
  • Informal
7.5

Wait for a good chance before acting

is a general delay, not only patient tactical remaining for opportunity
to wait for the ball to drop
vsto wait
  • Informal
7.6

Delay acting until an important event happens

is a general remaining or delay until any event, not only decisive moments
to wait until the dust settles
vsto wait
  • Informal
6.0

To delay action or decisions until things become clearer

is broader, applying to many reasons for delay beyond seeking clarity

Antonyms

to hurry
∞ 1.0

To move or act quickly because there is little time

to act
∞ 1.0

Take action to deal with a problem or situation

Idioms

to wait in the wings
11 5.8

To be ready to take a job or role when a chance comes

wait for it
  • Informal
6 7.0

Tell people to wait because something exciting will be revealed

lying in wait
  • NSFW
2 8.0

Hiding and waiting to attack someone by surprise

to wait on hand and foot
1 7.4

To do everything for someone and meet all their needs

to hurry up and wait
  • Informal
1 8.4

To act quickly and then wait for something to happen

to wait for one's ship to come in
  • Informal
1 8.4

To hope to get rich without doing anything

to wait for the ball to drop
  • Informal
7.6

Delay acting until an important event happens

to wait until the dust settles
  • Informal
6.0

To delay action or decisions until things become clearer

Phrasal Verbs

to wait up
  • Informal
170 3.6

Stay awake at home until someone comes

to wait on
  • US
83 3.9

To delay doing something until someone answers or a situation changes

to wait around
  • Informal
71 2.5

To spend time doing nothing while waiting for someone or something

to wait out
42 4.3

Stay where you are until bad weather or danger passes

to wait on
20 3.4

To serve people at a table by bringing food or drinks

to wait your turn
17 2.0

Be patient and let others go before you until it is your turn

to lie in wait
8 6.8

To hide and wait to attack someone by surprise

to wait until marriage
  • NSFW
2 5.6

Not have sex until after you and your partner are married

How Long

to bide one's time
  • Informal
7.5
to wait
∞ 1.0
to linger
207 3.7
to loiter
26 5.4
to pause
346 1.0

Surface Forms

wait infinitive
waited past
waited past participle
waiting present participle
waits third person singular

Etymology

Wait as a verb comes from the same old idea of watch — 'to be awake and ready' — so to wait is to stay or delay action until someone or something arrives. So the origin explains why we use wait when we expect or look forward to something.