Antonyms for wait
| Grammar : Noun, verb |
| Spell : weyt |
| Phonetic Transcription : weɪt |
Definition of wait
Origin :- c.1200, "to watch with hostile intent, lie in wait for," from Old North French waitier "to watch" (Old French gaitier, Modern French guetter), from Frankish *wahton (cf. Dutch wacht "a watching," Old High German wahten, German wachten "to watch, to guard;" Old High German wahhon "to watch, be awake," Old English wacian "to be awake;" see wake (v.)). General sense of "remain in some place" is from late 14c.; that of "to see to it that something occurs" is late 14c. Meaning "to stand by in attendance on" is late 14c.; specific sense of "serve as an attendant at a table" is from 1560s. Related: Waited; waiting.
- To wait (something) out "endure a period of waiting" is recorded from 1909, originally American English, in reference to baseball batters trying to draw a base on balls. Waiting game is recorded from 1890. Waiting room is attested from 1680s. Waiting list is recorded from 1897; the verb wait-list "to put (someone) on a waiting list" is recorded from 1960.
- noun pause, delay
- verb pause, rest
- Yet the great lady is not careless of engagements, and the wait is never prolonged.
- Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
- Where is he, I wonder, and how long have I got to wait for him?
- Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
- The lawyer left them at the next station to wait for a train back to Butte.
- Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
- And Dennet,” Stephen added with a short laugh, “she could not wait for you.
- Extract from : « The Armourer's Prentices » by Charlotte M. Yonge
- You wait a little, and hear Uncle Peter take back what he's said about me.
- Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
- "I will wait ten minutes for him," said Haley, taking out his watch.
- Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
- Then they wait for a third service, and after that start out home again.
- Extract from : « Harriet, The Moses of Her People » by Sarah H. Bradford
- We will wait till the gentlemen finish their cigars, before driving.
- Extract from : « Malbone » by Thomas Wentworth Higginson
- "Wait here while I see if the train is on time," directed Grace.
- Extract from : « Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus » by Jessie Graham Flower
- "Wait till to-morrow morning, and by then you may have slept upon it," she counselled.
- Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
Synonyms for wait
- abide
- anticipate
- await
- bide
- bide one's time
- cool it
- dally
- delay
- down
- downtime
- expect
- fill time
- foresee
- halt
- hang
- hang around
- hang onto your hat
- hang out
- hold
- hold back
- hold everything
- hold on
- hold the phone
- hold-up
- hole up
- interim
- interval
- keep shirt on
- lie in wait
- lie low
- linger
- look for
- look forward to
- mark time
- on hold
- put on hold
- remain
- rest
- save it
- sit tight
- sit up for
- stall
- stand by
- stay
- stay up for
- stick around
- sweat it
- tarry
- time wasted
- watch
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019