Wait Waiting I Waited Make Time Weɪt Extra

• she rang the bell and waited.
• the president agreed to speak to the waiting journalists.
• they waited patiently while i got ready.
• i waited and waited, but the bus didn't come.

wait

Verb Forms

1. to stay where you are or delay doing something until somebody/something comes or something happens
• She rang the bell and waited.
• The President agreed to speak to the waiting journalists.
• They waited patiently while I got ready.
• I waited and waited, but the bus didn't come.
• Have you been waiting long?
• to wait (for) hours/days/weeks/months/years
• I’ve been waiting (for) twenty minutes.
• I'll wait outside until the meeting's over.
• I had to wait in line at the bank.
• Wait for me!
• to wait for a bus
• I'm still waiting for the results of my blood test.
• He smiled, waiting for an answer to his question.
• We're waiting for the rain to stop before we go out.
• Hurry up! We're waiting to go.
• We'll have to wait until it stops raining.
• You'll just have to wait your turn (= wait until your turn comes).

Extra Examples

• He sat waiting to board the plane.
• We're waiting to hear back from them.
• We had several months of waiting for something to happen.
2. to hope or watch for something to happen, especially for a long time
• Leeds United had waited for success for eighteen years.
• This is just the opportunity I've been waiting for.
• They are waiting for the right moment to make their move.
• He's waiting for me to make a mistake.
• I've been waiting a long time to say that to her.
• I waited my chance and slipped out when no one was looking.
• We simply cannot afford to wait any longer.
• I waited with bated breath for what would happen next.

Extra Examples

• Their parents waited anxiously for news.
• She had to wait a long time for the right man to come along.
• They waited in vain for a response.
• We can't wait forever.
• You might have to wait a while before you get an answer.
• You'll have to wait until you're older.
• He was just waiting for the chance to make fun of me.
• I kept waiting for it to get better but it did not.
3. to be ready for somebody to have or use
• Your car is waiting, sir.
• When we arrived on the platform, there was a train waiting.
• There's a letter waiting for you at home.
• There was a nice surprise waiting for me when I got back.
• The hotel had a taxi waiting to collect us.
4. to be left to be dealt with at a later time because immediate action is not needed
• I've got some calls to make but they can wait until tomorrow.
• I'm afraid this can't wait. It's very important.
• We've just spent a fortune on a new roof, so the new car is going to have to wait.
5. a thing or person that is very likely to cause danger or a problem in the future because of the condition it is in or the way they behave
• Any one of these nuclear plants may be a disaster waiting to happen.
6. ready to take over a particular job or be used in a particular situation when needed
• She was aware of a whole host of ambitious young managers waiting in the wings.
• There's a wealth of talent waiting in the wings of British theatre.
7. used when you are emphasizing that somebody is very excited about something or keen to do it
• The children can't wait for Christmas to come.
• I can hardly wait to see him again.

Extra Examples

• I can't wait to see their new baby.
• I can hardly wait for my holiday!
• I could hardly wait for the weekend.
8. to make somebody have to wait or be delayed, especially because you arrive late
• I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.
9. to wait for a situation to become clear or certain
• He waited for the dust to settle after the election before making any new decisions.
10. used to tell somebody that they must be patient and wait to find out about something later
• We'll just have to wait and see—there's nothing we can do at the moment.
• a wait-and-see policy
• ‘Where are we going?’ ‘Wait and see!’

Extra Examples

• You'll just have to wait and see what you present is.
• We'll wait and see what the weather's like before we make a decision.
11. to serve food to people, for example at a formal meal
12. used to say that you are about to tell somebody something that is surprising
• They're off on a trip, to—wait for it—the Maldives!
13. used to tell somebody not to start doing something yet, but to wait until you tell them
14. to wait for a short time
• Can you wait a second while I make a call?
• Hey! Wait a minute! I'll come with you!
15. used when you have just noticed or remembered something, or had a sudden idea
• Wait a minute—this isn't the right key.
16. to take care of somebody’s needs so well that they do not have to do anything for themselves
• He seems to expect me to wait on him hand and foot.
17. to work serving food to people in a restaurant
18. used to show that you are very excited about telling or showing something to somebody
• Wait till you see what I've found!
19. used to threaten to punish somebody or do something bad to them
• Wait till I get my hands on him!
20. used to suggest that you should all start doing what you have been discussing
21. used to tell somebody to do something now rather than later
• If the car needs cleaning, what are you waiting for?
22. used to emphasize a threat, warning or promise
• I'll be famous one day, just you wait!

Word Origin

• Middle English: from Old Northern French waitier, of Germanic origin; related to the verb wake. Early senses included ‘lie in wait (for)’, ‘observe carefully’, and ‘be watchful’.