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wait

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verb [intransitive] American English pronunciation: wait /weɪt/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theywait
he/she/itwaits
present participlewaiting
past tensewaited
past participlewaited
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    to stay in one place because you expect or hope that something will happen

    Sheryl said she'd be waiting in the lobby.

    wait for:

    He was attacked while he was waiting for a bus.

    The airport was full of anxious relatives, waiting nervously for news of the missing plane.

    wait until/till:

    Let's sit down and wait until Bob gets here.

    wait to do something:

    The television showed thousands of frightened people waiting to board buses.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of wait
    1. a.
      to delay doing something until someone arrives or until something else happens

      I'm busy right now, so you'll just have to wait.

      wait for:

      Shall we start eating, or should we wait for the others?

      The police are waiting for more evidence before making an arrest.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of wait
  2. 2
    to be hoping or expecting that something will happen
    wait for:

    I've been waiting for a refund check for several months.

    wait for someone/something to do something:

    There's no point waiting for her to change her mind.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of wait
  3. 3
    to be ready for someone to take or use
    wait for:

    There's a package waiting for you in the office.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of wait

phrases

This is the American English definition of wait. View British English definition of wait.

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