Wait
verb
To stay in one place until something happens or someone comes.
Wait here, I will bring the car around.
verb
To delay an action until a particular time or until something else happens.
She is waiting until the last minute to submit her application.
verb
To serve or assist someone in a restaurant or similar place.
He waits tables at the local restaurant to earn extra money.
Usage tips
Colloquial
noun
The act of waiting or the time spent waiting.
There was a long wait before the concert started.
verb
To hope for or look forward to something with great expectation or anticipation.
I can't wait to see you at the party!
Often appears as...
- can't wait
- wait for something eagerly
Usage tips
Idiomatic
noun
A period of time during which one is delayed or held back from doing something.
There was a two-hour wait for the doctor.
verb
To stay in one place until something happens or someone comes.
Wait here, I will bring the car around.
verb
To delay an action until a particular time or until something else happens.
She is waiting until the last minute to submit her application.
verb
To serve or assist someone in a restaurant or similar place.
He waits tables at the local restaurant to earn extra money.
Usage tips
Colloquial
noun
The act of waiting or the time spent waiting.
There was a long wait before the concert started.
verb
To hope for or look forward to something with great expectation or anticipation.
I can't wait to see you at the party!
Often appears as...
- can't wait
- wait for something eagerly
Usage tips
Idiomatic
noun
A period of time during which one is delayed or held back from doing something.
There was a two-hour wait for the doctor.
Definition 1 of 6
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Presence
Use 'wait' when someone remains at a certain location, sometimes without any active tasks.
Wait at the bus stop; I'll join you soon.
Pro Tip 2/2Short Term
'Wait' often implies a brief stoppage and isn't typically used for long-term situations.
Wait here while I check us in.
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Presence
Use 'wait' when someone remains at a certain location, sometimes without any active tasks.
Wait at the bus stop; I'll join you soon.
Pro Tip 2/2Short Term
'Wait' often implies a brief stoppage and isn't typically used for long-term situations.
Wait here while I check us in.
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Presence
Use 'wait' when someone remains at a certain location, sometimes without any active tasks.
Wait at the bus stop; I'll join you soon.
Pro Tip 2/2Short Term
'Wait' often implies a brief stoppage and isn't typically used for long-term situations.
Wait here while I check us in.
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Video examples
How smart are...
orangutans have adapted to a life high in the rain forest canopies. Many of the skills they learn are transmitted through the special bond they have with their mothers, the most extended in the animal kingdom next to humans. Orangutan mothers usually give birth to one baby at a time, waiting up to eight years before having another.
Video examples
Can you solve the bridge...
anyone crossing must either hold the lantern or stay right next to it, and any of you can safely wait in the dark on either side of the gorge. Most importantly, everyone must be safely across before the zombies arrive. Otherwise, the first zombie could step on the bridge while people are still on it.
Video examples
How do pregnancy tests...
A few minutes can feel like forever when you're waiting on the results of a pregnancy test. But in that brief time, you're witnessing the power of the scientific method. That one little stick lets you ask a question, perform a controlled experiment,
Video examples
Why the buildings of the...
and smarter and friendlier. We've just been waiting for all of you to want them. And finally, we're not on opposite sides anymore. Find an architect, hire an architect, work with us to design better buildings, better cities, and a better world,
Video examples
4 simple ways to have a...
I have a drumroll please oh that's not bad come on one more time I don't wait wait here I have to introduce you okay one more time a drumroll please whoa now that's what I call a drumroll the important thing is write down your
Video examples
The Intense 8 Hour Hunt...
He rubs its saliva into his own legs to relieve the agony of his burning muscles. And he gives thanks for the life he has taken, so that he may sustain the lives of his family, waiting for him in their settlement.
Video examples
Wolf Pack Hunts Buffalo...
for a single wolf killing such a large prey is dangerous storm is older and wiser once he's wounded the Buffalo he pulls back and waits for the animal to
Video examples
Why Are These Fish...
This is the moment the pelicans have been waiting for. Slightly deeper water means they can get their bills underneath to scoop out their victims.
Video examples
ONE HOUR of Amazing...
have been waiting for when frigates join the hunt the flying fish are literally caught between the devil and the deep blue sea
Video examples
Deep Sea Exploration -...
surface there's a universe of discovery waiting for us down there
Video examples
How smart are...
orangutans have adapted to a life high in the rain forest canopies. Many of the skills they learn are transmitted through the special bond they have with their mothers, the most extended in the animal kingdom next to humans. Orangutan mothers usually give birth to one baby at a time, waiting up to eight years before having another.
Video examples
Can you solve the bridge...
anyone crossing must either hold the lantern or stay right next to it, and any of you can safely wait in the dark on either side of the gorge. Most importantly, everyone must be safely across before the zombies arrive. Otherwise, the first zombie could step on the bridge while people are still on it.
Video examples
How do pregnancy tests...
A few minutes can feel like forever when you're waiting on the results of a pregnancy test. But in that brief time, you're witnessing the power of the scientific method. That one little stick lets you ask a question, perform a controlled experiment,
Video examples
Why the buildings of the...
and smarter and friendlier. We've just been waiting for all of you to want them. And finally, we're not on opposite sides anymore. Find an architect, hire an architect, work with us to design better buildings, better cities, and a better world,
Video examples
4 simple ways to have a...
I have a drumroll please oh that's not bad come on one more time I don't wait wait here I have to introduce you okay one more time a drumroll please whoa now that's what I call a drumroll the important thing is write down your
Video examples
The Intense 8 Hour Hunt...
He rubs its saliva into his own legs to relieve the agony of his burning muscles. And he gives thanks for the life he has taken, so that he may sustain the lives of his family, waiting for him in their settlement.
Video examples
Wolf Pack Hunts Buffalo...
for a single wolf killing such a large prey is dangerous storm is older and wiser once he's wounded the Buffalo he pulls back and waits for the animal to
Video examples
Why Are These Fish...
This is the moment the pelicans have been waiting for. Slightly deeper water means they can get their bills underneath to scoop out their victims.
Video examples
ONE HOUR of Amazing...
have been waiting for when frigates join the hunt the flying fish are literally caught between the devil and the deep blue sea
Video examples
Deep Sea Exploration -...
surface there's a universe of discovery waiting for us down there
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Golda Meir
Israeli Leader
Men who have reached and passed forty-five, have a look as if waiting for the secret of the other world, and as if they were perfectly sure of having found out the secret of this.
Quote examples
Joel Osteen
American Clergyman
You may never get to that perfect world that you're waiting for where everything's going to be perfect and you got that much money and your house paid off.
Quote examples
T. S. Eliot
American Poet
I said to my soul, be still, and wait without hope, For hope would be hope for the wrong thing.
Quote examples
Steve Prefontaine
American Athlete
Something inside of me just said 'Hey, wait a minute, I want to beat him,' and I just took off.
Quote examples
Joseph Campbell
American Author
We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.
Quote examples
George Eliot
British Author
The important work of moving the world forward does not wait to be done by perfect men.
Quote examples
George Harrison
British Musician
When you've seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there.
Quote examples
Paulo Coelho
Brazilian Novelist
Life was always a matter of waiting for the right moment to act.
Quote examples
Oscar Wilde
Irish Poet
If you are not too long, I will wait here for you all my life.
Quote examples
Will Smith
American Actor
When you create art, the world has to wait.
Quote examples
Golda Meir
Israeli Leader
Men who have reached and passed forty-five, have a look as if waiting for the secret of the other world, and as if they were perfectly sure of having found out the secret of this.
Quote examples
Joel Osteen
American Clergyman
You may never get to that perfect world that you're waiting for where everything's going to be perfect and you got that much money and your house paid off.
Quote examples
T. S. Eliot
American Poet
I said to my soul, be still, and wait without hope, For hope would be hope for the wrong thing.
Quote examples
Steve Prefontaine
American Athlete
Something inside of me just said 'Hey, wait a minute, I want to beat him,' and I just took off.
Quote examples
Joseph Campbell
American Author
We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.
Quote examples
George Eliot
British Author
The important work of moving the world forward does not wait to be done by perfect men.
Quote examples
George Harrison
British Musician
When you've seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there.
Quote examples
Paulo Coelho
Brazilian Novelist
Life was always a matter of waiting for the right moment to act.
Quote examples
Oscar Wilde
Irish Poet
If you are not too long, I will wait here for you all my life.
Quote examples
Will Smith
American Actor
When you create art, the world has to wait.
Example 1 of 10
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