wait

noun singular

UK /weɪt/

1
a period during which you stay in one place, or you delay doing something, because you expect or hope that something will happen
After an anxious two-hour wait, I saw the doctor.
Expect a long wait if you intend to buy tickets.
Synonyms and related words
Pauses, intervals and halts
pause
interval
halt

wait

noun singular

US /weɪt/

1
a period during which you stay in one place, or you delay doing something, because you expect or hope that something will happen
After an anxious two-hour wait, I saw the doctor.
Expect a long wait if you intend to buy tickets.
Synonyms and related words
Pauses, intervals and halts
pause
interval
halt

wait

verb intransitive

UK /weɪt/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	wait
he/she/it	waits
present participle	waiting
past tense	waited
past participle	waited

1
to stay in one place because you expect or hope that something will happen
Sheryl said she’d be waiting in the lobby.
wait for:
He was attacked while he was waiting for a bus.
The airport was full of anxious relatives, waiting nervously for news of the missing plane.
wait until/till:
Let’s sit down and wait until Bob gets here.
wait to do something:
The television showed thousands of frightened people waiting to board buses.
Synonyms and related words
To remain in a place or situation
remain
stay
wait
1. 1a
  to delay doing something until someone arrives or until something else happens
  I’m busy right now, so you’ll just have to wait.
  wait for:
  Shall we start eating, or should we wait for the others?
  The police are waiting for more evidence before making an arrest.
  Synonyms and related words
  To delay action, wait or hesitate
  delay
  wait
  hesitate
Collocates
Adverbs frequently used with wait
▪ anxiously, eagerly, expectantly, impatiently, nervously, patiently, quietly
2
to be hoping or expecting that something will happen
wait for:
I’ve been waiting for a refund cheque for several months.
wait for someone/something to do something:
There’s no point waiting for her to change her mind.
Synonyms and related words
To delay action, wait or hesitate
delay
wait
hesitate
3
to be ready for someone to take or use
wait for:
There’s a package waiting for you in the office.
Synonyms and related words
Available and to be, or to become available
available
public
spare

phrases

something can/cannot wait

someone can’t wait/can hardly wait

just wait until/till

keep someone waiting

there’s no time to wait

wait a minute/second

wait and see

wait at table/on tables

wait for it

wait in line

wait your turn

waiting in the wings/waiting (for) your chance

waiting to happen

what are you waiting for?

something will have to wait

phrasal verbs

wait around

wait behind

wait in

wait on

wait out

wait up

wait

verb intransitive

US /weɪt/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	wait
he/she/it	waits
present participle	waiting
past tense	waited
past participle	waited

1
to stay in one place because you expect or hope that something will happen
Sheryl said she’d be waiting in the lobby.
wait for:
He was attacked while he was waiting for a bus.
The airport was full of anxious relatives, waiting nervously for news of the missing plane.
wait until/till:
Let’s sit down and wait until Bob gets here.
wait to do something:
The television showed thousands of frightened people waiting to board buses.
Synonyms and related words
To remain in a place or situation
remain
stay
wait
1. 1a
  to delay doing something until someone arrives or until something else happens
  I’m busy right now, so you’ll just have to wait.
  wait for:
  Shall we start eating, or should we wait for the others?
  The police are waiting for more evidence before making an arrest.
  Synonyms and related words
  To delay action, wait or hesitate
  delay
  wait
  hesitate
Collocates
Adverbs frequently used with wait
▪ anxiously, eagerly, expectantly, impatiently, nervously, patiently, quietly
2
to be hoping or expecting that something will happen
wait for:
I’ve been waiting for a refund check for several months.
wait for someone/something to do something:
There’s no point waiting for her to change her mind.
Synonyms and related words
To delay action, wait or hesitate
delay
wait
hesitate
3
to be ready for someone to take or use
wait for:
There’s a package waiting for you in the office.
Synonyms and related words
Available and to be, or to become available
available
public
spare

phrases

something can/cannot wait

someone can’t wait/can hardly wait

just wait until/till

keep someone waiting

there’s no time to wait

wait a minute/second

wait and see

wait in/on line

waiting in the wings/waiting (for) your chance

waiting to happen

wait tables

wait your turn

what are you waiting for?

something will have to wait

phrasal verbs

wait around

wait on

wait out

wait up

wait ​‌

wait ​‌

wait ​‌‌‌

wait ​‌‌‌

wait

wait

wait

wait