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Wait

/weɪt/

A delay.

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Wait"

noun

1
A delay.
"I had a very long wait at the airport security check."
2
An ambush.
"They lay in wait for the patrol."
3
One who watches; a watchman.
4
(in the plural) Hautboys, or oboes, played by town musicians.

verb

1
To delay movement or action until the arrival or occurrence of; to await. (Now generally superseded by “wait for”.)
2
To delay movement or action until some event or time; to remain neglected or in readiness.
"Wait here until your car arrives."
3
To wait tables; to serve customers in a restaurant or other eating establishment.
"She used to wait down at the Dew Drop Inn."
4
To attend on; to accompany; especially, to attend with ceremony or respect.

🔄 Synonyms of "Wait"

10 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
holdverb	(transitive) To grasp or grip.
lookverb	To try to see, to pay attention to with one’s eyes.
awaitverb	(transitive, formal) To wait for.
hold backverb	(idiomatic, intransitive) To act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power.
expectverb	(ambitransitive) To predict or believe that something will happen
time lagnoun	A period of time between one event and another; a delay.
postponementnoun	A delay, as a formal delay in a proceeding.
waitingnoun	The act of staying or remaining in expectation.
hold offverb	(idiomatic, transitive) To delay (someone or something) temporarily; to keep at bay.
delaynoun	(transitive) To put off until a later time; to defer.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Wait"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
hold offverb	(idiomatic, transitive) To delay (someone or something) temporarily; to keep at bay.
awaitverb	(transitive, formal) To wait for.
hold backverb	(idiomatic, intransitive) To act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power.
postponementnoun	A delay, as a formal delay in a proceeding.
delayverb	(transitive) To put off until a later time; to defer.
time lagnoun	A period of time between one event and another; a delay.
holdverb	(transitive) To grasp or grip.
expectverb	(ambitransitive) To predict or believe that something will happen
lookverb	To try to see, to pay attention to with one’s eyes.
standbyverb	(proscribed, nonstandard, operations) To wait briefly, as for additional communication by radio or telephone; alternative form of stand by.
lingerverb	(intransitive) To stay or remain in a place or situation, especially as if unwilling to depart or not easily able to do so.
tarryverb	(intransitive) To delay; to be late or tardy in beginning or doing anything.
meantimenoun	During the interval; meanwhile.
postponeverb	To delay or put off an event, appointment, etc.
deferverb	(transitive) To delay or postpone.
bideverb	(intransitive, archaic or dialectal) To wait; to be in expectation; to stay; to remain.
stayverb	(intransitive) To remain in a particular place, especially for a definite or short period of time; sojourn; abide.
sufferancenoun	Acquiescence or tacit compliance with some circumstance, behavior, or instruction.
suspensenoun	the pleasurable emotion of anticipation and excitement regarding the outcome or climax of a book, film etc.
letverb	(transitive) To allow to, not to prevent (+ infinitive, but usually without to).