These examples may contain rude words based on your search.
These examples may contain colloquial words based on your search.
So yes waiting on something again.
I know fans worldwide have been waiting on something like this and it is finally happening.
Фанаты в течение всего этого времени находились в ожидании чего-то нового и, в итоге, это свершилось.
Are you waiting on something before you start living a full life?
Ждете ли вы чего-то, чтобы начать жить полной жизнью?
What happens though when you are waiting on something?
Don’t we say that when we are waiting on something to happen?
We are all waiting on something or someone.
Are you waiting on something today?
Actively waiting on something is action.
But I was waiting on something.
You waiting on something, Bishop?
Other results
Don’t make the mistake of waiting on someone or something to come along and make you happy.
Не совершайте ошибку и не ждите кого-то или чего-то, что должно прийти и сделать вас счастливым.
After such sad data from the largest eurozone economy, it was not worth waiting for something positive on a European scale.
И после столь грустных данных из крупнейшей экономики зоны евро не стоило ждать чего-то позитивного в общеевропейском масштабе.
You know, we are all waiting somewhat for something on Christmas.
То есть мы все ждем какого-то чуда в Рождество.
I think he was waiting on me to say something.
Мне казалось, что он ждет, чтобы я что-то ему сказал.
I, like those people who are waiting for something on the shore, are ready to look and look at the sea, internally enriched with joy and ecstasy.
Я, как и те люди, которые чего-то ждут на берегу, готова смотреть и смотреть на море, внутренне обогащаясь радостью и восторгом.
What? You waiting on me to say something?
That doesn’t mean we sit around waiting for something to just happen — very often it happens while we’re working away on something else.
Это не значит, что нужно сидеть в кресле и ждать, пока что-нибудь произойдет; очень часто перемены происходят, когда занимаешься другими делами.
But now people are waiting something new, and Putin will not do this.
Но теперь народ ждёт чего-то нового, а Путин на это не пойдёт.
They are always waiting something from the man.
I’m waiting for something crazy to happen.
Results: 9430. Exact: 10. Elapsed time: 708 ms.
Documents
Corporate solutions
Conjugation
Synonyms
Grammar Check
Help & about
Word index: 1-300, 301-600, 601-900
Expression index: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200
Phrase index: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200
wait on (someone or something)
1. To serve a customer or patron. Is anyone waiting on table one?
2. To await some particular person or thing before one is able to proceed. I’m waiting on Carrie’s response, so I don’t have an answer to your question yet.
3. To visit someone in a formal show of respect. We must wait on the prince during his birthday festivities.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
wait (up)on someone
Fig. to pay homage to someone. (Stilted.) Do you expect me to wait upon you like a member of some medieval court? She waited on her grown children as if they were gods and goddesses.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
wait on
1. Also, wait upon. Serve, minister to, especially for personal needs or in a store or restaurant. For example, Guests at the Inn should not expect to be waited on-they can make their own beds and get their own breakfast . [Early 1500s]
2. Make a formal call on, as in They waited on the ambassador. [c. 1500]
3. Also, wait upon. Await, remain in readiness for, as in We’re waiting on their decision to close the school. This usage, a synonym of wait for, dates from the late 1600s but in the mid-1800s began to be criticized by many authorities. However, by the late 1900s it had come into increasingly wider use and is again largely accepted.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
wait on
or wait upon
v.
1. To serve the needs of someone or something; be in attendance on someone or something: The clerk waited on a customer.
2. To await someone or something: They’re waiting on my decision.
3. To make a formal call on someone; visit someone: We waited on the mourning widow to pay our respects.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
- wait on
- wait in the wings
- waiting in the wings
- wait for the next wave
- watch the clock
- kick (one’s) heels
- kick your heels
- wait
- wait around
- waiting
Contexts ▼
Verb
Present participle for to wait or refrain from doing something until something else happens
Present participle for to care for or look after
Present participle for to serve or attend to the needs of (typically a customer)
… more ▼
Verb
▲
Present participle for to wait or refrain from doing something until something else happens
awaiting
anticipating
expecting
waiting for
looking forward to
watching for
lying in wait for
hoping for
looking out for
sweating it out
looking ahead
envisaging
cooling your heels
staying for
sweating
listening
predicting
forecasting
foreseeing
foretelling
prophesying
prognosticating
divining
envisioning
foreknowing
suspecting
foreshadowing
apprehending
visualizingUS
visualisingUK
contemplating
sensing
pre-empting
bargaining for
counting upon
bargaining on
planning on
counting on
contemplating the possibility of
seeing something coming
seeing in the cards
having a hunch of
banking on
looking for
planning for
feeling
figuring
having in prospect
looking ahead to
gathering
presaging
foreboding
portending
calling
projecting
vaticinating
assuming
adumbrating
forewarning
imagining
soothsaying
reading
presuming
determining
prevising
spaeing
fancying
previsioning
forefeeling
premising
reckoning on
thinking likely
psyching out
doping out
figuring on
auspicating
coming to the conclusion
auguring
taking it as given
taking for granted
regarding as likely
espying
taking it
having sneaking suspicion
entertaining
calling it
seeing it coming
having a hunch
allowing for
thinking it likely
counting chickens
preparing for
foretasting
drawing the inference
deeming likely
“We’ll wait on the beets until the next crop comes in with fresh tops.”
Verb
▲
Present participle for to care for or look after
nursing
helping
attending
tending
mothering
arranging
ministering
administering to
ministering to
caring for
taking care of
fostering
serving
assisting
supporting
protecting
succouringUK
aiding
succoringUS
attending to
looking after
encouraging
comforting
nurturing
treating
cultivating
doctoring
lending a hand to
giving aid and encouragement to
lending a helping hand to
rescuing
bringing relief to
catering to
baby-sitting
befriending
rendering assistance to
watching out for
relieving
giving help to
bringing aid to
seeing to
sustaining
bringing comfort to
remedying
giving assistance to
curing
healing
minding
raising
nourishing
rearing
guiding
cherishing
shepherding
feeding
breeding
promoting
furthering
advancing
cradling
fathering
boosting
watching over
safeguarding
nursemaiding
bringing up
stimulating
keeping tabs on
forwarding
keeping an eye on
contributing to
incubating
taking charge of
keeping alive
sitting
accommodating
caring
more ❯
“A steady and intelligent attendant should constantly wait on the patient in all acute and severe cases.”
Verb
▲
Present participle for to serve or attend to the needs of (typically a customer)
serving
accommodating
tending
succoringUS
succouringUK
attending to
ministering to
looking after
catering for
catering to
taking care of
pandering to
seeing to
acting as a waiter to
acting as a waitress to
“I used to sit in the dining room. All the staff would wait on me, and I would be the only one eating.”
Verb
▲
Present participle for to work for as servants or employees
serving
obeying
working for
slaving for
carrying out the wishes of
having a job with
performing duties for
“There is no hindering the advancement for servants who are ready, who do their duty, and who wait on their master.”
Verb
▲
Present participle for to help or give aid to
assisting
helping
aiding
abetting
backing
facilitating
supporting
boosting
easing
promoting
encouraging
forwarding
cooperating
obliging
relieving
serving
accommodating
benefiting
benefitting
precipitating
succoringUS
succouringUK
working with
backstopping
fostering
furthering
seconding
accelerating
advancing
attending
attending to
collaborating with
cooperating with
expediting
giving assistance to
backing up
contributing to
helping along
hyping
making easy
plugging
propping up
puffing
pushing
reinforcing
speeding up
stumping
sustaining
thumping
bailing someone out
doing someone a favour
doing someone a service
giving a boost to
hiking up
jacking up
pitching in with
bailing out
being a factor in
clearing a path for
doing for
going with
helping out
mucking in with
opening doors for
opening the door for
paving the way for
riding shotgun
rooting for
smoothing the way for
working for
assisting the progress of
getting stuck in with
giving a boost
giving a hand
giving a lift
lending a hand
lending a hand to
oiling the wheels of
running interference for
smoothing the path of
standing up for
taking care of
giving a leg up
giving a leg up to
going to bat for
making a pitch for
putting on the map
getting someone out of a tight spot
going down the line for
lending a helping hand to
hastening
fast-tracking
stimulating
rushing
speeding
quickening
spurring on
hurrying
impelling
stepping up
giving a push to
hurrying up
spurring
driving
making easier
cranking up
firing up
simplifying
pressing
opening doors
favouringUK
favoringUS
clearing the way for
escalating
dispatching
fast tracking
pushing through
greasing wheels
making faster
oiling the wheels for
smoothing
motivating
inspiring
enabling
making smooth
making smoother
making possible
stoking
developing
urging
championing
hand-carrying
propelling
progressing
nurturing
cultivating
loosening up
walking through
nourishing
incubating
nursing
greasing the wheels
dashing off
achieving quickly
urging on
accomplishing quickly
shooting through
finishing quickly
making short work of
patronizingUS
expanding
spreading
patronisingUK
engendering
broadening
ballyhooing
generating
propagating
contributing
extending
lending support to
whisking
gathering momentum
getting moving
giving a lift to
assisting in
helping with
revving up
more ❯
“Must I wait on the needs of this moaning monster?”
Verb
▲
Present participle for to accompany and look after or supervise
attending
accompanying
escorting
convoying
squiring
guarding
chaperoning
companioning
conducting
shepherding
ushering
shadowing
companying
following
guiding
leading
seeing
assisting
helping
serving
consorting
Verb
▲
(as a waiter) Present participle for to wait on
serving
waiting
ministering
tending
acting as waiter
acting as waitress
distributing food
distributing refreshments
slinging hash
slinging plates
waiting at table
Verb
▲
Present participle for to treat with great care, attention or indulgence
mollycoddling
pampering
babying
coddling
cosseting
indulging
spoiling
petting
cockering
overindulging
dandling
nursing
ruining
spoon-feeding
wet-nursing
nannying
nursemaiding
caressing
fondling
overprotecting
killing by kindness
killing with kindness
catering to
fussing over
wrapping in cotton wool
waiting on hand and foot
Verb
▲
Present participle for to take care or charge of, especially on behalf of another
watching
minding
superintending
supervising
caring for
overseeing
tending to
fostering
looking after
nannying
keeping
nursing
safeguarding
attending to
ministering to
watching over
keeping an eye on
taking care of
looking out for
keeping watch over
presiding over
riding shotgun
Verb
▲
Present participle for to wait or remain alert for further news, information or instructions
waiting
awaiting
sitting tight
hanging on
holding on
standing by
being patient
holding your horses
waiting patiently
hanging onto your hat
lying in wait
killing time
lying low
marking time
abiding
kicking your heels
saving it
biding your time
hanging fire
holding your fire
sitting up for
pausing
sweating it out
delaying
waiting in the wings
holding everything
holding the phone
resting
holding one’s breath
cooling your heels
stalling
twiddling thumbs
countdowning
staying up for
holding back
looking forward
cooling it
sweating it
wasting time
passing the time
hanging
putting on hold
deferring
postponing
hanging back
refraining from
keeping from doing something
putting something off
holding off
taking no action
playing a waiting game
keeping your shirt on
filling time
avoiding doing something
more ❯
Adjective
▲
Having or showing an excited feeling that something is about to happen, especially something good
expectant
eager
excited
agog
anticipatory
anxious
hopeful
breathless
expecting
waiting
agape
anticipant
anticipating
awaiting
ready
apprehensive
on tenterhooks
watchful
alert
anticipative
hoping
in suspense
keen
prepared
raring
vigilant
keyed up
looking for
on edge
waiting with bated breath
on pins and needles
with bated breath
preemptive
enthusiastic
tactical
foreseeing
avid
impatient
foretelling
forethoughtful
provident
open-mouthed
all agog
on the edge of your seat
hungry
thirsty
yearning
longing
aching
desirous
willing
hot
intent
pining
pumped
voracious
zealous
itching
hankering
craving
juiced
wishful
solicitous
crazy
dying
ready and willing
hot to trot
gung ho
hepped up
raring to go
rarin’ to go
hopped-up
champing at the bit
amenable
disposed
up
wholehearted
enthused
interested
ardent
fervid
psyched
fervent
set
earnest
inclined
passionate
wild
fain
favourably inclined
as keen as mustard
up for
in the mood
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
pysched up
on for
minded
keen as mustard
of a mind
game
mad keen
antsy
wishing
greedy
restless
desiring
intent on
geeked
athirst
ripe
set on
gagging
dying to
stoked
vehement
ambitious
self-starting
bent on
appetent
heated
hankering after
restive
desirous of
more ❯
Adjective
▲
Watchful, especially for danger or disorder
wide-awake
vigilant
alert
attentive
watchful
observant
awake
cautious
chary
careful
circumspect
heedful
mindful
prepared
prudent
ready
wary
active
acute
agog
anxious
aware
concentrating
guarded
keen
leery
regardful
sharp
tentie
tenty
on the watch
on tiptoe
on your toes
perky
quick
wired
Argus-eyed
eagle-eyed
hawk-eyed
keen-eyed
on guard
sharp-eyed
beady-eyed
gimlet-eyed
on the lookout
fully awake
on the alert
on the qui vive
open-eyed
paying attention
wide-eyed
all ears
on alert
on the ball
heads up
not missing a trick
on one’s toes
with eyes peeled
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
fast on the draw
keeping a weather eye on things
keeping one’s eyes peeled
on the job
with eyes like a hawk
with weather eye open
looking for
looking to
keeping one’s eyes skinned
with one’s eyes open
cagey
perceptive
considerate
conservative
safe
thoughtful
canny
judicious
gingerly
discerning
wise
calculating
politic
apprehensive
discreet
sensible
sagacious
percipient
wide awake
intelligent
discriminating
scrupulous
conscious
restrained
deliberate
reasonable
focusedUS
shrewd
measured
sage
defensive
focussedUK
protective
deep
sensitive
diplomatic
moderate
tactful
astute
intent
reserved
cognizant
interested
bright
suspicious
sentient
noticing
insightful
clever
softly-softly
worldly-wise
playing safe
sharp-sighted
clear-sighted
solicitous
considered
punctilious
logical
pragmatic
wakeful
strategic
hesitant
thorough
controlled
reticent
unhurried
noncommittal
temperate
smart
alive
tentative
levelheaded
witting
judgmatic
judgmatical
observative
hip
conversant
studious
heeding
provident
penetrating
rational
conscientious
understanding
listening
knowledgeable
informed
precautious
sapient
ware
savvy
diligent
rapt
committed
earnest
rigorous
knowing
tactical
observing
belt-and-braces
with reservations
assiduous
reckful
incisive
forethoughtful
awake to
switched on
watching out
thinking twice
au courant
farsighted
watching one’s step
psyched up
alive to
keeping on one’s toes
alert to
walking on eggs
cognizant of
wise to
handling with kid gloves
aware of
sensible of
with it
keeping a weather eye on
on to
keen-sighted
lynx-eyed
regardful of
recognizant of
listening carefully
with one’s eyes skinned
hip to
zealous
concerned
watching
jealous
enterprising
close
taking notice
gentle
calm
gradual
expectant
resourceful
hooked
glued
unsleeping
patient
visionary
playing your cards close to your chest
keeping a weather eye open
keeping one’s eyes open
sophisticated
suspecting
upon one’s guard
spirited
self-aware
jazzed
delicate
walking on egg shells
hedging your bets
taking it slow
expedient
practical
sound
forehanded
having eyes in the back of your head
forearmed
with one’s eyes opened
civil
advisable
commonsensical
meticulous
kid-glove
having foresight
on lookout
not rash
advertent
level-headed
healthy
common-sense
fastidious
good hands
surveying
searching
contemplating
considering
questioning
comprehending
intentive
acquainted
apperceptive
apprised
finicky
methodical
well-advised
well judged
well thought out
well advised
noting
perceiving
recognizingUS
assured
sure
remarking
recognisingUK
certain
balanced
reasoned
in the know about
responsive to
sensitive to
mindful of
able to recognize
seized of
in on
ware of
hep to
clued-up on
percipient of
mature
ingenious
fine
intuitive
adroit
reluctant
well thought-out
well-grounded
dexterousUS
brilliant
cerebral
overcareful
overcautious
precocious
analytical
genius
intellectual
perspicacious
piercing
skilfulUK
cagy
complex
whip-smart
sharp-witted
skillfulUS
razor-like
rapier-like
razor-sharp
dextrousUK
subtle
exacting
fly
analytic
intriguing
ratiocinative
detailed
deft
experienced
brainy
quick-witted
non-committal
respectful
plugged in
conscious of
chary of
in the know
wary of
acquainted with
tuned in
be up on
know ins and outs
careful of
watchful of
know all the answers
heedful of
more ❯
|
Find more words! |
|
Use * for blank tiles (max 2) Advanced Search Advanced Search |
|
|
Use * for blank spaces Advanced Search |
|
| Advanced Word Finder |
See Also
What is another word for wait on?
Use our Synonym Finder
Nearby Words
waiting on hand and foot
waiting out
waiting path
waiting patiently
waiting period
waiting room
waiting nearby
waiting maid
waiting lists
waiting list
waiting line
waiting it out
Придется наблюдаться и все время ждать, что случится что-то плохое.
I was
waiting
till I had something on the dealers that was too big to ignore.
Я ждала, пока не найду что-нибудь на таких дилеров которых нельзя игнорировать.
Туман вызвал какие-то изменения, что-то ждет своей активации.
Silence in this noise»everyone is on edge»waiting for something to happen»in the time that’s running out.
Тишина в этом шуме, И все на краю Ждут, что что-нибудь произойдет.
To be
on
tenter-hooks What it means: to be waiting for something important or unpleasant, to be nervous
waiting
for
something.
Что это означает: быть в ожидании чего-то важного или неприятного, переживать, ожидая
чего-то.
I have been sitting On my butt
waiting
for something to happen, But you guys just keep dinking around.
Я и сидел на заднице, ждал, пока что-нибудь произойдет, но вы, ребята, только и делали, что болтались здесь.
Right here—you wait for something that hasn’t shown up, you wait
on something
that’s nearby.
Вот здесь- не» в ожидании чего-то«, а» предвкушая» то, что уже поблизости.
Results: 23235,
Time: 0.1976
English
—
Russian
Russian
—
English
Asked by: Kristin Legros
Score: 4.6/5
(2 votes)
1a : to remain stationary in readiness or expectation wait for a train. b : to pause for another to catch up —usually used with up. 2a : to look forward expectantly just waiting to see his rival lose. b : to hold back expectantly waiting for a chance to strike.
What does the term waiting on mean?
To ‘wait on’ someone means to serve someone. «The hotel staff waited on the couple at their wedding dinner.» To ‘wait for’ something or someone means we are expecting something to happen or we are waiting for someone.
What’s a word for waiting?
1 await, linger, abide, delay.
What does wating mean?
temporary dimness or blurriness of sight, as when a person is dizzy or has hurt eyes.
What do we say intezar in English?
Intezar karna meaning in English is Wait and Intezar karna or Wait synonym is Await, Delay, Expect, Hold and Look. Similar words of Wait includes as Wait, Waiter, Waitress and Waiter, where Intezar karna translation in Urdu is انتظار کرنا. intezar karna لفظ کا تعلق اردو زبان سے ہے جس کے معنی »Wait» کے ہیں۔
37 related questions found
How do you say waiting for something?
Ways of telling or asking someone to wait — thesaurus
- hold on. phrasal verb. …
- just wait until/till. phrase. …
- hang on/hold on a minute. phrase. …
- wait a minute/second. phrase. …
- just a minute/moment/second. phrase. …
- let me see/think. phrase. …
- bear with me/us. phrasal verb. …
- something will have to wait. phrase.
What are different ways to say waiting?
Find another word for waiting. In this page you can discover 63 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for waiting, like: standing, loitering, wait, dallying, in line, adjourning, next in turn, awaiting, languishing, remaining and cooling one’s heels.
Is eagerly waiting correct?
This is not correct. Don’t use this phrase. To a native English speaker, «I am eagerly waiting to meet you» sounds odd.
Is it correct to say waiting on you?
You could also say, ‘waiting on you‘. «Waiting on you» is specifically American English. In British English, I would «wait on you» if I were a waiter in a restaurant. And waiting on is strictly colloquial, not acceptable in formal registers.
How do you use awaiting?
Awaiting sentence example
- Katie held her breath, awaiting the awful news. …
- Meanwhile, we locked on the television, all evening, awaiting the results of our actions. …
- Resolved, she trailed her father down the hill, through the people who couldn’t see them, and to the awaiting car.
Should you wait for someone you love?
That’s fine, it happens. Hearts have a strange way of getting fixated on somebody in particular and ignoring everybody else. In these situations, it’s perfectly ok to wait a while for the other person to become available or make a move on you. Until then however, you should really be open to meet other people.
What is eagerly waiting?
1 postpositive; often foll by: to or for impatiently desirous (of); anxious or avid (for)
What does anxiously waiting mean?
adverb. in an uneasy or worried manner:My first call was to my wife, who had been anxiously awaiting word of my whereabouts. in an earnestly desirous or eager manner:They are anxiously awaiting the birth of their first child.
What is the difference between awaiting and waiting?
The verb ‘wait’ can come in different structures. … The other difference between the two verbs, ‘wait’ and ‘await’, is the level of formality. ‘Await’ is more formal than ‘wait’ — it would be used in formal letters, for example.
How do you say politely you’re waiting?
7 Alternatives to “I Look Forward to Hearing From You”
- 1 Use a call-to-action. …
- 2 I’m eager to receive your feedback. …
- 3 I appreciate your quick response. …
- 4 Always happy to hear from you. …
- 5 Keep me informed . . . …
- 6 I await your immediate response. …
- 7 Write soon!
How do you say Intezamia in Urdu?
Sadarti Intezamia Meaning from Urdu to English is Presidium, and in Urdu it is written as صدارتی انتظامیہ. This word is written in Roman Urdu.
How do you write intizar in Urdu?
Intizar Meaning in English to Urdu is انتظار, as written in Urdu and Intezar, as written in Roman Urdu.
Is Intezaar a Urdu word?
The Urdu Word انتظار Meaning in English is Intezar. The other similar words are Intezaar.
What does patiently waiting mean?
: in a patient manner : with calmness or without complaint or hurry in spite of delays, difficulties, tedium, etc. The bank customers waited patiently for the next teller.
What does impatiently waiting mean?
adj. 1. Unable to wait patiently or tolerate delay; restless. 2.
What is the similar meaning of eager?
Some common synonyms of eager are anxious, athirst, avid, and keen. While all these words mean «moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest,» eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint.
Why would a guy wait for you?
He’s willing to wait for you because you have become his world. He’s willing to wait because he loves you. So if it’s not too hard, let him in; appreciate his efforts. If it’s not too hard, allow him to touch your soul.
How do u know if u love someone?
In short, while there’s no single way to fall in love, you’ll probably notice a few key physical and emotional signs:
- Your thoughts return to them regularly. …
- You feel safe with them. …
- Life feels more exciting. …
- You want to spend a lot of time together. …
- You feel a little jealous of other people in their life.
Other forms: waiting; waited; waits
A wait is the time it takes for something to happen. The wait to get the brand new computer was four hours long, but it was worth it.
The word wait originated in the 1200s, from the Old Northern French word waitier: «to watch with hostile intent.» Even back then, people didn’t like to wait. Anticipating something that will happen is waiting, though sometimes what you wait for never comes — like Godot, who never shows up in the play «Waiting for Godot.» When you wait to do something, you delay. When you wait tables, you serve people, preferably without delay.
Definitions of wait
-
verb
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
“I had to
wait on line for an hour to get the tickets” -
-
synonyms:
hold back, hold off
see moresee less-
types:
- show 6 types…
- hide 6 types…
-
hold out
wait uncompromisingly for something desirable
-
delay
act later than planned, scheduled, or required
-
hesitate, pause
interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
-
dilly-dally, dillydally, drag one’s feet, drag one’s heels, procrastinate, shillyshally, stall
postpone doing what one should be doing
-
procrastinate
postpone or delay needlessly
-
defer, hold over, postpone, prorogue, put off, put over, remit, set back, shelve, table
hold back to a later time
-
type of:
-
act, move
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
-
verb
look forward to the probable occurrence of
“he is
waiting to be drafted”-
synonyms:
await, expect, look
-
anticipate, expect
regard something as probable or likely
-
anticipate, expect
-
noun
time during which some action is awaited
-
noun
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
“the
wait was an ordeal for him”-
synonyms:
waiting
-
verb
serve as a waiter or waitress in a restaurant
“I’m
waiting on tables at Maxim’s”-
synonyms:
waitress
see moresee less-
type of:
-
work
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
-
work
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘wait’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
Send us feedback
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Look up wait for the last time
Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the
words you need to know.
Sign up now (it’s free!)
Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.
Get started
I’ve just heard
your sister is waiting on you
with the meaning of wait for (as in wait for the bus).
Up to now I had only encountered wait on with the meaning of attend to / serve.
-
Is this use of wait on instead of wait for widely spread in the English speaking world or more specific to certain geographical areas?
-
In the sentence I’m quoting above, and without further context, could there be any ambiguity as to the meaning?
asked Oct 7, 2011 at 8:06
2
It’s regional in U.S. English. Much of the U.S. says «waiting for you», but I believe that much of the South says «waiting on you». I don’t know exactly what regions use «wait on» (not the Northeast), and a couple of minutes of Googling didn’t find any answers, so I can’t be more specific.
answered Oct 7, 2011 at 11:07
Peter Shor Peter Shor
84.4k8 gold badges171 silver badges291 bronze badges
6
Wait on has numerous meanings. In the OP’s example, it means, in the words of the OED’s definition, ‘remain in one place in expectation of’, in other words, wait for. The OED’s citations supporting this sense range from 1694 to 1984. The OED gives no indication of regional bias, but I wouldn’t say the use was ‘widely spread’. As for ambiguity, most of the time context removes it, and I would say it would generally do so in this case.
answered Oct 7, 2011 at 11:46
Barrie EnglandBarrie England
139k10 gold badges240 silver badges400 bronze badges
«Wait on» as a synonym for «wait for» is something I’ve heard much more in US English than British English, but it is used in that sense. They’re pretty much synonymous. And yes, you’re right that the sentence «your sister is waiting on you» is ambiguous, and so it’s probably best to avoid using the colloquial «wait on» for this meaning.
answered Oct 7, 2011 at 8:52
JezJez
12.6k35 gold badges92 silver badges129 bronze badges
I think to a considerable extent the choice of preposition is regional, stylistic, or simply arbitrary, as other answers indicate. But in the UK at least, whereas I’m waiting for John is much more common than …on John, there’s a difference in how we add more detail…
I’m waiting on John [doing something]
I’m waiting for John [to do something]
…so it’s always I’m waiting on John arriving or I’m waiting for John to arrive, never the reverse.
If it’s obvious what we’re actually waiting for John to do, we often omit it — particularly if we’re just waiting for him to arrive. But as mentioned elsewhere, even Brits are likely to use on, not for in respect of computer code waiting on a status flag (changing in value, which we invariably omit).
answered Jan 19, 2012 at 18:23
FumbleFingersFumbleFingers
137k45 gold badges282 silver badges501 bronze badges
5
I have lived in Texas longer (22 years) than I’ve lived anywhere else (IA, IL, NH, CA…) and Texas is the only place I’ve noticed people say «waitin’ on» when they mean «waiting for.» In fact, I searched for these two phrases today because yesterday at Walmart after I’d swiped my card at the register, the terminal said, «Waiting on cashier…» I thought it was funny that this regionalism had made it into a display terminal. Does the argument that «everyone says that these days» mean that it’s OK to say «10 items or less,» too? Nope, still wrong.
I would be interested to know from our northern contributors if they see the same message at their Walmart when they swipe their card.
answered Oct 7, 2013 at 14:31
I suggest that in the Queen’s English, to wait on suggests to serve, not to wait for. Don’t overlook the fact that English is the language of England, not that of the US.
aedia λ
10.6k9 gold badges44 silver badges69 bronze badges
answered Apr 6, 2012 at 15:00
6
I love and lament the opinions of certain contributors to this board that English from England is more pure (and therefore more correct) than the English from colonials. Anyone who has done research into how language changes in the mother country vs. her colonies knows that precisely the opposite is true — that linguistic change in colonies tends to proceed slower than in the mother country.
Regarding «wait for» versus «wait on» and the assertion by @Lightness-Races-in-Orbit that no one in England would use «wait on» except Mick Jagger, I would point out William Shakespeare (a famous Englishman) used it all the time.
In fact, searching for these terms in the online Shakespeare concordance http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org, which shows you where and how many times the Bard used a certain word, reveals that although the great man used «wait for» four times (and «await for» once), he used «wait on» 16 times and «wait upon» 22 times. This is a whopping victory for the pedigree of «wait on» made even more whopping if «wait upon» is included.
I also draw readers’ attention to German «warten auf», which means «to wait on / for» something and the fact that «auf» is cognate with English «on». That German and English were the same language many hundreds of years ago is also evidence that «wait on» is the older form, and that «wait for» is the upstart.
In conclusion «wait on» has just as much of a claim to «correctness» as «wait for». Use whichever you want, and know that if you use «wait on» then you are using the language of Shakespeare. Of course you should also know that nowadays «wait for» is more common and more formal. If that is important to you, then go with the upstart.
answered Oct 2, 2013 at 16:28
2
I am from Texas and I would say that «wait on» is used more commonly than «wait for» in this region at least. I have also lived in other parts of the south and California and I have never experienced anyone not understanding what was meant when I said «wait on».
I would argue that context, like in numerous languages is important and relevant.
There are plenty of phrases and idioms in the English language that don’t translate literally so it seems that, at times, focus should be placed on accepted use and not pedagogy.
Also, with respect to @guestspeaker’s comments above about Shakespeare and @Tristan’s response, it is clear that @guestspeaker was making a point about how American English is arguably more «pure» than British English despite what others have argued. So, the fact that Shakespeare is «hardly up-to-date» is actually exactly the point @guestspeaker was making.
answered Oct 4, 2013 at 12:49
1
«Wait on» was standard in England in the 18C: Dr. Johnson consistently uses it, or at least Boswell represents him as doing so.
answered Oct 15, 2017 at 18:33
John CowanJohn Cowan
3532 silver badges4 bronze badges
It’s commonly used in Computer Science; you wait on a mutex (A «mutex» is an object that regulates Mutual Exclusion)
answered Oct 7, 2011 at 12:31
MSaltersMSalters
6853 silver badges8 bronze badges
2
Google Ngrams («wait on, wait for») shows the two phrases comparable up to 1700, and since then «wait on» getting progressively less common and «wait for» more so. It doesn’t appear to show any significant difference in British and American usage since 1800.
This search does not exclude the other sense of «wait on», so the 10:1 prevalence of «wait for» it shows for 2000 is clearly significantly lower than the ratio of uses with the meaning you are interested in.
«Waiting on» is not a phrase I would ever use in this sense. I think that without context the sentence is indeed ambiguous.
Daniel
57.1k75 gold badges256 silver badges377 bronze badges
answered Oct 7, 2011 at 8:53
Colin FineColin Fine
76k1 gold badge94 silver badges196 bronze badges
4
According to bab.la, «to wait for» is a lot more common than «to wait on». (43% vs. 3%.)
RegDwigнt
96.4k39 gold badges305 silver badges399 bronze badges
answered Jan 19, 2012 at 15:57
Both are acceptable. A waitress waiting on a customer in a restaurant means exactly the same thing as a mother waiting on a child’s response to a question. The inference is standing ready in a state of suspension pending some future activity. The server stands ready awaiting instructions from the table.
answered Dec 8, 2012 at 0:12
2
IMO this exemplifies the erosion of semantic precision as a result of sloppy common usage.
When I was a lad, we were taught that wait on is to be used only when to serve is meant; it was never correct to use wait on as a substitute for wait for. I notice, however, that this distinction is disappearing in American usage, particularly in the west. But I see it in both written and spoken usage in all regions. As some have stated here, though, wait on is rarely used for wait for in British or other non-US usage.
The Computer Science use of wait on is sloppy. You are in fact waiting FOR the mutex to become free; you are in no sense serving the mutex. I, for one, only use wait on when I mean to serve.
Matt E. Эллен
28.9k15 gold badges104 silver badges168 bronze badges
answered Mar 5, 2012 at 3:41
MarkCMarkC
231 bronze badge
Use «wait for» and you will be correct much more often. The only reason I can think of to use «wait on» is if you’re telling someone where to wait, such as «on» a railway platform, or «on» a particular street corner. «Wait for Ted on the corner of sixth and main.» You wait «for» the event, while positioned «on» a location.
answered Sep 8, 2013 at 18:10
1
Similar words: waiting on something
Synonyms & Antonyms: not found
Examples: waiting on something |
|
|---|---|
| It is true that when we are watching time, when we are conscious of it, when we are waiting for something to happen, then it seems to pass ever so slowly. |
Это правда, что когда мы наблюдаем за временем, когда мы осознаем его, когда мы ждем, что что-то произойдет, тогда кажется, что оно проходит очень медленно. |
| Tom and Mary are waiting for you to say something . |
Том и Мэри ждут, что вы что-нибудь скажете. |
| I know that now, naturally, all are waiting for me to share something about my voyage. |
Я знаю, что сейчас, естественно, все ждут, чтобы я кое-что рассказал о своем путешествии. |
| Stakeouts were a tiring affair; waiting hour after hour for something criminal to happen. |
Слежка была утомительным делом, час за часом ожидая, что произойдет что-то криминальное. |
| Tom and Mary said they were waiting for something to happen. |
Том и Мэри сказали, что они ждут, чтобы что-то случилось. |
| Tom said that he was waiting for something to happen. |
Том сказал, что ждет, когда что-то случится. |
| Tom seems to be waiting for something to happen. |
Том, кажется, ждет, чтобы что-то случилось. |
| It looks as though Tom and Mary are waiting for something . |
Похоже, Том и Мэри чего-то ждут. |
| Tom and Mary seem to be waiting for something to happen. |
Том и Мэри, кажется, ждут, чтобы что-то произошло. |
| For what are you waiting ? You’re always waiting for something . |
Чего вы ждете? Вы всегда чего-то ждете. |
| Tom seemed to be waiting for something to happen. |
Том, казалось, ждал, чтобы что-то случилось. |
| Tom and Mary are waiting for something to happen. |
Том и Мэри ждут, чтобы что-то случилось. |
| Tom and Mary are just waiting for something to happen. |
Том и Мэри просто ждут, чтобы что-то случилось. |
| I spent the whole morning waiting for something to happen. |
Я провел все утро в ожидании чего-нибудь. |
| Tom said he was waiting for something to happen. |
Том сказал, что ждал, чтобы что-то случилось. |
| Are you still waiting for something to happen? |
Вы все еще ждете, чтобы что-то случилось? |
| He was up on his elbow, watching me the way he’d watched the black boy, waiting for me to say something else. |
Он приподнялся на локте, наблюдая за мной так же, как он наблюдал за черным мальчиком, ожидая, что я скажу что-нибудь еще. |
| But he knew that she was in the house and that the coming of dark within the old walls was breaking down something and leaving it corrupt with waiting . |
Но он знал, что она была в доме и что наступление темноты в старых стенах разрушало что-то и оставляло его испорченным ожиданием. |
| Waiting for something down below to die. |
Ожидая, пока что-то внизу умрет. |
| I went on standing there, waiting for something to happen. It was the clock ticking on the wall that brought me to reality again. |
Я продолжал стоять, ожидая, что что-то случится. Это были часы, тикающие на стене, которые снова вернули меня к реальности. |
| The mist triggered something inside them, something waiting to be activated. |
Туман активировал что-то внутри них, что-то, ожидающее активации. |
| Dyson still hoped for cheap space travel, but was resigned to waiting for private entrepreneurs to develop something new and inexpensive. |
Дайсон все еще надеялся на дешевые космические путешествия, но смирился с ожиданием того, что частные предприниматели разработают что-то новое и недорогое. |
| I brought you a little something . |
|
| I will say something about it. |
|
| I never thought he was capable of doing something so cruel. |
|
| Please give me something to eat. |
|
| We’ve been waiting for hours for you to show up! |
|
| What are you waiting for? |
|
| Push the red button if something strange happens. |
|
| Everybody’s waiting for you. |
|
| It seems to me that something’s wrong. |
|
| It isn’t something that I’m very good at. |
|
| This is something we can’t do without. |
|
| Every time I read this book, I discover something new. |
|
| Aaron was convinced that it had something to do with his time overseas. |
|
| How could something like that have gone unnoticed? |
|
| I thought you guys gave notification or something . |
|
| You might want to do something about, uh, your hair. |
|
| At least we were doing something instead of wasting our lives in some fucking convenience store! |
|
| It’s so pointless to ask for something that you yourself can get! |
|
| As the mission dragged on, Halvorsen decided to add something to the menu in a gesture that now defines the historic event. |
|
| Is the Imperial Family some sort of National Assembly or something ? |
|