wait

1. to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens (often followed byfor, till, oruntil ).

   to wait for the bus to arrive.

   Synonyms:

   delay,abide,linger,await

2. (of things) to be available or in readiness.

   A letter is waiting for you.

3. to remain neglected for a time.

   a matter that can wait.

4. to postpone or delay something or to be postponed or delayed.

   We waited a week and then bought the house. Your vacation will have to wait until next month.

5. to look forward to eagerly.

   I'm just waiting for the day somebody knocks him down.

1. to continue in expectation of;await.

   I sat nervously on the bench, waiting my turn to audition.

2. to postpone or delay in expectation.

   Don't wait supper for me.

3. Archaic. (of things) to be in readiness for; be reserved for; await.

   Glory waits thee.

4. Archaic. to attend upon or escort, especially as a sign of respect.

1. an act or instance of waiting or awaiting; delay; halt.

   a wait at the border.

2. a period or interval of waiting.

   There will be a long wait between trains.

3. Theater.

   1. the time between two acts, scenes, or the like.

   2. stage wait.

4. British.

   1. waits, (formerly) a band of musicians employed by a city or town to play music in parades, for official functions, etc.

   2. a street musician, especially a singer.

   3. one of a band of carolers.

   4. a piece sung by carolers, especially a Christmas carol.

5. Obsolete. a watchman.

1. wait up

   1. to postpone going to bed to await someone's arrival.

   2. Informal. to halt and wait for another to join one, as in running or walking.

      Wait up, I can't walk so fast.

2. wait on

   1. to perform the duties of an attendant or servant for.

   2. to supply the wants of a person, as serving a meal or serving a customer in a store.

   3. to call upon or visit (a person, especially a superior).

      to wait on Her Majesty at the palace.

   4. Falconry. (of a hawk) to soar over ground until prey appears.

   5. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. to wait for (a person); await.

   6. Alsowait upon. to await (an event).

1. lie in wait, to wait in ambush.

   The army lay in wait in the forest.

2. wait table.table.

1. to stay in one place or remain inactive in expectation (of something); hold oneself in readiness (for something)

2. to delay temporarily or be temporarily delayed

   that work can wait

3. (of things) to be in store (for a person)

   success waits for you in your new job

4. (intr) to act as a waiter or waitress

1. the act or an instance of waiting

2. a period of waiting

3. rare(plural) a band of musicians who go around the streets, esp at Christmas, singing and playing carols

4. an interlude or interval between two acts or scenes in a play, etc

5. to prepare an ambush (for someone)

More idioms and phrases containingwait

• can't wait
• hurry up and wait
• in waiting
• lie in wait
• play a waiting game