wait


Definition: Meaning of, wait in English to English dictionary.

Pronunciation: / weɪt /

  • verb
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Word Forms:
Prsesent Past Past Participle
wait waited waited
Present Participle Third Person Singular
waiting waits
  1. not go/start something [intransitive] to stay somewhere or not do something until something else happens, someone arrives etc
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  2. something has not happened [intransitive] if you are waiting for something that you expect or hope will happen or arrive, it has not happened or arrived yet
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  3. wait a minute/second/moment etc spoken used to ask someone not to leave or start doing something immediately
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  4. wait a minute/second/moment etc spoken used to interrupt someone, especially because you do not agree with what they are saying
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  5. wait a minute/second/moment etc spoken used when you suddenly think of, remember, or notice something
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  6. somebody can't wait/can hardly wait spoken used to emphasize that someone is very excited about something and is eager for it to happen
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  7. somebody can't wait/can hardly wait spoken used humorously to say that something seems likely to be very boring
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  8. something can/can't wait spoken if something can wait, it is not very urgent. If something can't wait, it is very urgent
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  9. wait and see spoken used to say that someone should be patient because they will find out about something later
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  10. wait until/till ... spoken used when you are excited about telling or showing someone something
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  11. be waiting (for somebody) if something is waiting for you, it is ready for you to use, collect etc
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  12. wait your turn to stay calm until it is your turn to do something, instead of trying to move ahead of other people
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  13. something is (well) worth waiting for spoken used to say that something is very good, even though it takes a long time to come
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  14. (just) you wait spoken British English used to warn or threaten someone
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  15. (just) you wait spoken used to tell someone you are sure something will happen
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  16. what are you waiting for? spoken used to tell someone to do something immediately
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  17. what are we waiting for? spoken used to say in a cheerful way that you think everyone should start doing something immediately
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  18. wait for it British English spoken used just before you tell someone something that is funny or surprising
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  19. wait for it British English spoken used to tell someone not to do something until the correct time because they seem very impatient to do it now
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  20. be waiting in the wings to be ready to do something if it is necessary or if a suitable time comes
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  21. wait tables American English to work in a restaurant serving food and drink to people at their tables
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  22. (play) a/the waiting game if you play a waiting game, you try to gain an advantage for yourself in a particular situation by deliberately doing nothing until you have seen what other people do
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  • noun
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Word Forms:
Singular Plural
N/A N/A
[singular]
  1. a period of time in which you wait for something to happen, someone to arrive etc
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wait used in phrases

  • lie in wait (verb)
    1. wait in hiding to attack
  • lying in wait (adjective)
    1. waiting in concealment; in ambush
    lying in wait (noun)
    1. the act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise
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wait used in phrasal verbs

  • wait around (phrasal verb)
    1. to do nothing because you are expecting something to happen, and you cannot do anything until it does
  • wait behind (phrasal verb)
    1. to stay somewhere after everyone else has left
  • wait in (phrasal verb)
    1. to stay at home because you expect someone to come or to telephone you
  • wait on (phrasal verb)
    1. wait on someone to serve people in a restaurant
    2. wait on someone hand and foot to do everything for someone so that they do not have to do anything for themselves
  • wait out (phrasal verb)
    1. to stay where you are until something ends, usually something bad
  • wait up (phrasal verb)
    1. to not go to sleep until someone comes home
    2. American English spoken used for asking or telling someone to stop so that you can speak to them or walk with them
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