wait

wait  (wt)

v. wait·ed, wait·ing, waits

v.intr.

1.

a. To remain or rest in expectation: waiting for the guests to arrive. See Synonyms at stay¹.

b. To tarry until another catches up.

2. To remain or be in readiness: lunch waiting on the table.

3. To remain temporarily neglected, unattended to, or postponed: The trip will have to wait.

4. To work as a waiter or waitress.

v.tr.

1. To remain or stay in expectation of; await: wait one's turn.

2. Informal To delay (a meal or an event); postpone: They waited lunch for us.

3. To be a waiter or waitress at: wait tables.

n.

1. The act of waiting or the time spent waiting.

2. Chiefly British

a. One of a group of musicians employed, usually by a city, to play in parades or public ceremonies.

b. One of a group of musicians or carolers who perform in the streets at Christmastime.

Phrasal Verbs:

wait on/upon

1. To serve the needs of; be in attendance on.

2. To make a formal call on; visit.

3. To follow as a result; depend on.

4. To await: They're waiting on my decision.

wait out

To delay until the termination of: wait out a war; waited out the miniskirt craze.

wait up

1. To postpone going to bed in anticipation of something or someone.

2. Informal To stop or pause so that another can catch up: Let's wait up for the stragglers.

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[Middle English waiten, from Old North French waitier, to watch, of Germanic origin; see weg- in Indo-European roots.]

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wait [weɪt]

vb

1. (when intr, often foll by for, until, or to) 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. (when intr, usually foll by for) (of things) to be in store (for a person) success waits for you in your new job

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

n

1. the act or an instance of waiting

2. a period of waiting

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

4. (Performing Arts / Theatre) an interlude or interval between two acts or scenes in a play, etc.

lie in wait to prepare an ambush (for someone) See also wait on, wait up

[from Old French waitier; related to Old High German wahtēn to wake¹]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	wait - time during which some action is awaited; "instant replay caused too long a delay"; "he ordered a hold in the action" delay, postponement, time lag, hold pause, suspension, intermission, interruption, break - a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something extension - a mutually agreed delay in the date set for the completion of a job or payment of a debt; "they applied for an extension of the loan" moratorium - a legally authorized postponement before some obligation must be discharged retardation - the extent to which something is delayed or held back
	2.	wait - the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something); "the wait was an ordeal for him" waiting inactivity - being inactive; being less active
Verb	1.	wait - stay in one place and anticipate or expect something; "I had to wait on line for an hour to get the tickets" ambuscade, ambush, bushwhack, lie in wait, scupper, waylay, lurk - wait in hiding to attack cool one's heels, kick one's heels - wait or pass the time aimlessly or futilely; be kept waiting; "She kicked her heels for hours at the gate of the Embassy" stick about, stick around, stand by - be available or ready for a certain function or service
	2.	wait - wait before acting; "the scientists held off announcing their results until they repeated the experiment" hold off, hold back act, move - perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel" hold out - wait uncompromisingly for something desirable; "He held out for the dessert and did not touch the cheeses" delay - act later than planned, scheduled, or required; "Don't delay your application to graduate school or else it won't be considered"
	3.	wait - look forward to the probable occurrence of; "We were expecting a visit from our relatives"; "She is looking to a promotion"; "he is waiting to be drafted" await, expect, look expect - look forward to the birth of a child; "She is expecting in March" anticipate, expect - regard something as probable or likely; "The meteorologists are expecting rain for tomorrow" look forward - expect or hope for; "I look to hear from you soon" look to - turn one's interests or expectations towards; "look to the future"; "this method looks to significant wavings" hold the line, hang on, hold on - hold the phone line open; "Please hang on while I get your folder" look for, look to, anticipate - be excited or anxious about
	4.	wait - serve as a waiter or waitress in a restaurant; "I'm waiting on tables at Maxim's" waitress work - exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity; "I will work hard to improve my grades"; "she worked hard for better living conditions for the poor"

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wait

verb

1. stay, remain, stop, pause, rest, delay, linger, hover, hang around (informal), dally, loiter, tarry, w8 (S.M.S.) I waited at the corner for the lights to go green.
stay go, leave, quit, take off (informal), go away, set off, depart, move off

2. stand by, delay, hold on (informal), hold back, wait in the wings, mark time, hang fire, bide your time, kick your heels, cool your heels, w8 (S.M.S.) Let's wait and see what happens.

3. be postponed, be suspended, be delayed, be put off, be put back, be deferred, be put on hold (informal), be shelved, be tabled, be held over, be put on ice (informal), be put on the back burner (informal), w8 (S.M.S.) I want to talk to you but it can wait.

noun

delay, gap, pause, interval, stay, rest, halt, hold-up, lull, stoppage, hindrance, hiatus, entr'acte, w8 (S.M.S.) After a long wait, someone finally picked up the phone.

wait around hang around, linger, loiter, hover around, mark time, skulk around, loaf around I waited around to speak to the doctor.

wait for or on something or someone await, expect, look forward to, hope for, anticipate, look for I'm still waiting for a reply from him.

wait on or upon someone serve, tend to, look after, take care of, minister to, attend to, cater to The owner of the restaurant himself waited on us.

wait up stay awake, stay up, keep vigil I waited up for you till three in the morning.

Proverbs
"Don't count your chickens before they are hatched"
"Don't cross the bridge till you come to it"

Translations

wait [weɪt]

A. VI

1. (= hold on)

1.1. [person] → esperar
just wait a moment while I fetch you a chair → espere un momento que voy a traerle una silla
"repairs while you wait" → reparaciones en el acto
reporters were waiting to interview her → los reporteros estaban esperando para entrevistarla
I can't wait to see his face → estoy deseando ver su cara
they can't wait for us to go → están deseando que nos vayamos
to wait for sth/sb → esperar algo/a algn
I'll wait for you outside → te espero fuera
what are you waiting for? (= hurry up) → ¡a qué esperas!, ¡venga ya!
the best things in life are worth waiting for → en esta vida las cosas buenas merecen la espera
to wait for sb to do sth → esperar(a)que algn haga algo
they waited for him to finish → esperaron(a)que terminara
I'm waiting for them to make a decision → estoy esperando(a)que tomen una decisión, estoy pendiente de que tomen una decisión
I can hardly wait! → ¡me muero de impaciencia!
to keep sb waiting → hacer esperar a algn
sorry to keep you waiting; sorry to have kept you waiting → siento haberle hecho esperar
wait a minute! → ¡un momento!, ¡momentito!(esp LAm), ¡aguarde!(LAm)
now wait a minute, Dave, you never told me that → eh, un momento, Dave, tú nunca me dijiste eso
wait and see! → ¡espera, ya verás!
I waited till two o'clock → esperé hasta las dos
wait till you're asked → espera a que te inviten
just you wait till your father finds out! → ¡ya verás cuando se entere tu padre!
to be waiting in the wings → esperar entre bastidores

1.2. [thing] the dishes can wait → los platos pueden esperar
there's a parcel waiting to be collected → hay un paquete que hay que recoger
there is a big market just waiting to be opened up → hay un mercado grande para abrir
the ferry tragedy was a disaster waiting to happen → la tragedia del ferry se veía venir

2. (as servant)
to wait at table → servir a or atender la mesa

B. VT

1. (= await)
to wait one's chance → esperar la oportunidad
can't you wait your turn like everyone else? → ¿no puedes esperar a que llegue tu turno como los demás?

2. (= delay) [+ dinner, lunch, etc] don't wait dinner for me → no me esperen para cenar

3. (= serve)
to wait table (US) → servir a la mesa, atender la mesa

C. N → espera f
it was a long wait for the train → fue una larga espera hasta la llegada del tren
patients face a 28-week wait for operations → los pacientes tienen que esperar 28 semanas a que les operen
to lie in wait (for sb) → andar or estar al acecho(de algn)
you may have quite a wait → puede que tengas que esperar bastante
dinner was worth the wait → la cena mereció la espera

wait around wait about VI + ADV → quedarse esperando
to wait around for sb → quedarse esperando a algn
to wait around for sth to happen → quedarse esperando a que pase algo

wait behind VI + ADV → esperarse
to wait behind for sb → quedarse para esperar a algn

wait in (esp Brit) VI + ADV → quedarse en casa(esperando)
to wait in for sb → quedarse en casa esperando a algn

wait on VI + PREP [waiter, servant] → servir, atender(esp LAm)
to wait on sb hand and foot → atender el menor deseo de algn

wait out VT + ADV

1. (= wait till end of) [+ storm] → esperar a que pase
we have enough capital to wait it out until the economy improves → tenemos suficiente capital para aguantar hasta que mejore la economía

2. (US)

2.1. (= wait longer than) we can wait you out indefinitely, why don't you surrender? → podemos esperar indefinidamente or tenemos todo el tiempo del mundo, ¿por qué no te rindes?

2.2. (= wait for) we have to wait out the results of the vote → tenemos que esperar a que se conozcan los resultados de la votación

wait up VI + ADV

1. (= stay up) to wait up for sb → quedarse despierto esperando a algn
don't wait up for me → no te quedes despierto esperándome

2. (US) (= wait) → esperar

wait upon VI + PREP to wait upon sb

1. (frm) [ambassador, envoy] → presentar sus respetos a algn, cumplimentar a algn

2. = wait on

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wait [ˈweɪt]

n

(= waiting period) → attente f
There was a long wait → Il y avait une longue attente.
We had a 30-minute wait for the bus
BUT Nous avons attendu le bus pendant 30 minutes.

to lie in wait for sb → guetter qn

vi → attendre
to wait until → attendre que + subj
Wait until everyone has finished → Attendez que tout le monde ait fini.
You'll have to wait until tomorrow
BUT Vous allez devoir attendre demain.
to wait for sb → attendre qn
I'll wait for you → Je t'attendrai.
Wait for me! → Attends-moi!
to wait for sth → attendre qch
to keep sb waiting → faire attendre qn
They kept us waiting for hours → Ils nous ont fait attendre pendant des heures.
Sorry to keep you waiting → Désolé de vous avoir fait attendre.
to wait to do sth → attendre de faire qch
I waited to see how she responded → J'attendais de voir comment elle réagissait.
"repairs while you wait" → "réparations minute"

(= be ready, be there) to be waiting for sb → attendre qn
There was a letter waiting for me → Une lettre m'attendait.

can't wait (expressing eagerness)
I can't wait! → J'ai hâte de voir ça!
I can't wait to see him again → J'ai hâte de le revoir.
We can't wait to get started → Nous avons hâte de commencer.
I can't wait for the holidays → J'ai hâte d'être en vacances.
I can hardly wait to tell her! → J'ai trop hâte de lui dire!

(asking sb to stop, to explain sth) wait! → attendez!
Wait, you can't go in there! → Attendez un peu, vous ne pouvez pas entrer là!
Wait a minute! → Attendez une minute!
wait for it! → attendez!

it can wait → cela peut attendre

wait and see (= be patient) → attendons de voir

what are you waiting for? (= hurry up) → qu'est-ce que vous attendez?

wait around

vi → attendre
to wait around for sth → attendre qch

wait behind

vi → s'attarder

wait on

vt fus → servir

wait up

vi → attendre avant d'aller se coucher
My mum always waits up till I get in → Ma mère attend toujours que je rentre avant d'aller se coucher.
Don't wait up for me → Ne m'attendez pas pour aller vous coucher.

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wait

vi

→ warten (→ for auf +acc); to wait for somebody to do something → darauf warten, dass jd etw tut; it was definitely worth waiting for → es hat sich wirklich gelohnt, darauf zu warten; that’ll be worth waiting for (iro) → da bin ich aber gespannt (inf); well, what are you waiting for? → worauf wartest du denn (noch)?; wait for it, now he’s going to get mad → warts ab, gleich wird er wild (inf); this stamp is worth, wait for it, £10,000 → diese Briefmarke kostet sage und schreibe £ 10.000; let him wait!, he can wait! → lass ihn warten!, soll er warten!, der kann warten!; can’t it wait? → kann das nicht warten?, hat das nicht Zeit?; this work will have to wait till later → diese Arbeit muss bis später warten or liegen bleiben; this work is still waiting to be done → diese Arbeit muss noch gemacht or erledigt werden; wait a minute or moment or second → (einen) Augenblick or Moment (mal); (just) you wait! → warte nur ab!; (threatening) → warte nur!; Mummy, I can’t wait → Mami, ich muss dringend mal!; I can’t wait → ich kanns kaum erwarten; (out of curiosity) → ich bin gespannt; I can’t wait to see his face → da bin ich (aber) auf sein Gesicht gespannt; I can’t wait to try out my new boat → ich kann es kaum noch erwarten, bis ich mein neues Boot ausprobiere; I can hardly wait (usu iro) → ich kann es kaum erwarten!; “repairs while you wait” → „Sofortreparaturen“, „Reparaturschnelldienst“; wait and see! → warten Sie (es) ab!, abwarten und Tee trinken! (inf); we’ll have to wait and see how … → wir müssen abwarten, wie …

to wait at table (Brit) → servieren, bedienen; she used to wait at the … → sie bediente früher im …

vt

to wait one’s turn → (ab)warten, bis man an der Reihe ist; to wait one’s moment or chance → auf eine günstige Gelegenheit warten, eine günstige Gelegenheit abwarten; don’t wait supper for me → warte mit dem Abendessen nicht auf mich

(US) to wait a table → servieren, bedienen

n

→ Wartezeit f; did you have a long wait? → mussten Sie lange warten?

to lie in wait for somebody/something → jdm/einer Sache auflauern

waits pl → ˜ Sternsinger pl

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wait [weɪt]

1. n wait (for) → attesa (di)
to have a long wait → aspettare a lungo
a 2-hour wait → un'attesa di 2 ore
to lie in wait (for sb) → tendere un agguato (a qn)

2. vt

a. (turn, chance) → aspettare, attendere

b. (Am) (delay, dinner) → ritardare

3. vi

a. to wait (for sb/sth) → aspettare (qn/qc)
to wait for sb to do sth → aspettare che qn faccia qc
wait a moment! → (aspetta) un momento!
wait and see! → aspetta e vedrai!
we'll have to wait and see → dobbiamo vedere come vanno le cose
just you wait! → ti faccio vedere io!
just you wait till your father comes home! → vedrai quando torna tuo padre!
wait till you're older → aspetta di essere cresciuto/a
to keep sb waiting → far aspettare qn
"repairs while you wait" → "riparazioni lampo"
I can't wait to see his face → non vedo l'ora di vedere che faccia farà
I can hardly wait! → non vedo l'ora!
that was worth waiting for → valeva la pena aspettare tanto

b. (as servant) to wait at table → servire a tavola

wait about wait around vi + adv → restare ad aspettare

wait behind vi + adv → trattenersi

wait in vi + adv → restare a casa ad aspettare

wait on vi + prep → servire
to wait on sb hand and foot → servire qn in tutto e per tutto

wait up vi + adv → restare alzato/a (ad aspettare)
don't wait up for me → non rimanere alzato ad aspettarmi

wait upon vi + prep (old) (visit) → presentare i propri rispetti a

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wait [weɪt]

1. n wait (for) → attesa (di)
to have a long wait → aspettare a lungo
a 2-hour wait → un'attesa di 2 ore
to lie in wait (for sb) → tendere un agguato (a qn)

2. vt

a. (turn, chance) → aspettare, attendere

b. (Am) (delay, dinner) → ritardare

3. vi

a. to wait (for sb/sth) → aspettare (qn/qc)
to wait for sb to do sth → aspettare che qn faccia qc
wait a moment! → (aspetta) un momento!
wait and see! → aspetta e vedrai!
we'll have to wait and see → dobbiamo vedere come vanno le cose
just you wait! → ti faccio vedere io!
just you wait till your father comes home! → vedrai quando torna tuo padre!
wait till you're older → aspetta di essere cresciuto/a
to keep sb waiting → far aspettare qn
"repairs while you wait" → "riparazioni lampo"
I can't wait to see his face → non vedo l'ora di vedere che faccia farà
I can hardly wait! → non vedo l'ora!
that was worth waiting for → valeva la pena aspettare tanto

b. (as servant) to wait at table → servire a tavola

wait about wait around vi + adv → restare ad aspettare

wait behind vi + adv → trattenersi

wait in vi + adv → restare a casa ad aspettare

wait on vi + prep → servire
to wait on sb hand and foot → servire qn in tutto e per tutto

wait up vi + adv → restare alzato/a (ad aspettare)
don't wait up for me → non rimanere alzato ad aspettarmi

wait upon vi + prep (old) (visit) → presentare i propri rispetti a

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wait

v wait [weit]

1 (withfor) to remain or stay (in the same place or without doing anything) Wait (for) two minutes (here) while I go inside; I'm waiting for John (to arrive). wag يَنْتَظِر чакам počkat, čekat vente warten περιμένω esperar, aguardar ootama منتظر شدن odottaa attendre לְחַכּוֹת बाट जोहना čekati vár menunggu bíða aspettare 待つ 기다리다 laukti gaidīt tunggu wachten vente czekać esperar a aştepta ждать počkať, čakať čakati čekati vänta คอย; รอคอย beklemek 等候 чекати, ждати انتظارکرنا đợi 等候

2 (withfor) to expect I was just waiting for that pile of dishes to fall! wag يَتَوَقَّع очаквам čekat vente darauf warten, daß περιμένω, προσμένω esperar ootama ماندن odottaa (s')attendre (à) לְחַכּוֹת לְ- प्रतीक्षा करना očekivati vár menduga bíða eftir aspettarsi 待ち受ける 기대하다 laukti gaidīt menunggu verwachten vente på czekać esperar a se aştepta (la) ожидать čakať pričakovati očekivati vänta รอคอย beklemek, sanmak (預期某事會發生)等著 чекати راہ دیکھنا mong mỏi 等候

3 (withon) to serve dishes, drinks etc (at table) This servant will wait on your guests; He waits at table. bedien يَخْدُم الزَّبائِن сервирам obsluhovat servere bedienen σερβίρω, εξυπηρετώ servir teenindama (söögilauas) پذيرايي كردن tarjoilla servir לְשָרֵת, לְהַגִיש सेवा-टहल करना posluživati felszolgál melayani þjóna servire 給仕する (식탁 옆에서) 시중 들다 patarnauti apkalpot (pie galda) menghidangkan bedienen servere, varte opp obsługiwać servir a servi la masă обслуживать obsluhovať streči služiti passa upp, servera บริการอาหารและเครื่องดื่ม servis yapmak, hizmet etmek 伺候進餐 прислужувати کھانے کی میز پر کام کرنے والے نوکر کی خدمت انجام دینا phục vụ 伺候进餐

n

an act of waiting; a delay There was a long wait before they could get on the train. gewag إنْتِظار، تأخير чакане čekání venten; ventetid das Warten αναμονή espera ootamine انتظار odotus attente הַמתָנָה प्रतीक्षा čekanje várakozás penantian bið, töf attesa 待つこと 기다리기, 대기 laukimas gaidīšana penantian het wachten ventetid, venting czekanie espera aşteptare ожидание čakanie čakanje kašnjenje väntan เวลาที่ใช้ในการรอคอย bekleme, bekleyiş, gecikme 等候 чекання انتظار sự chờ đợi 等候

n waiter

a person who serves people with food etc at table She is a waitress in a café; Which waiter served you in the restaurant? kelner نادِل сервитьор číšník, servírka tjener der/die Kellnerin σερβιτόρος, σερβιτόρα camarero; camarera kelner گارسون مرد tarjoilija serveur/-euse מֶלצָר बैरा konobar pincér pelayan þjónn cameriere ウエーター[] (호텔, 식당 등의) 웨이터, 급사 padavëjas, padavëja oficiants; oficiante ober kelner, servitør kelner criado chelner официант; официантка čašník, -čka natakar konobar kypare, servitör บริกร; พนักงานรับใช้ในร้านอาหาร garson 餐廳服務生 офіціант بیرا جو ہوٹل وغیرہ میں کھانا کھلاتا ہے người phục vụ 服务员

n waiting-list

a list of the names of people who are waiting for something She is on the waiting-list for medical treatment. waglys قائِمَة الإنْتِظار списък с чакащи pořadník venteliste die Warteliste λίστα αναμονής, κατάσταση προτεραιότητας lista de espera järjekorranimestik ليست انتظار odotuslista liste d'attente רְשִימַת הַמתָנָה प्रतीक्षा-सूची lista čekanja várólista daftar tunggu biðlisti lista d'attesa 欠員待ち名簿 대기자 목록 sąrašas (kandidātu, pacientu u.tml.) saraksts wachtlijst venteliste lista oczekujących lista de espera listă de aşteptare список; очередь poradovník čakalna lista lista čekanja väntelista รายชื่อผู้ที่กำลังรอบางสิ่ง bekleme listesi 候補名單 список кандидатів منتظت لوگوں کی فہرست danh sách đợi 申请人名单

n waiting-room

a room in which people may wait (eg at a station, doctor's surgery etc). wagkamer غُرْفَة الإنْتِظار чакалня čekárna venteværelse das Wartezimmer, der Wartesaal αίθουσα αναμονής sala de espera ooteruum اتاق انتظار odotushuone salle d'attente חֲדַר הַמתָנָה प्रतीक्षालय čekaonica váróterem ruang tunggu biðstofa sala d'attesa 待合室 대기실 laukiamasis uzgaidāmā telpa wachtkamer venterom poczekalnia sala de espera sală de aşteptare зал ожидания; приёмная čakáreň čakalnica čekaonica väntrum, -sal ห้องที่มีคนรออยู่ bekleme odası 等候室(如候車室，候診室等) приймальня انتظار کا کمرہ phòng chờ 休息室

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wait → يتَرَيْث počkat vente warten περιμένω esperar odottaa attendre čekati aspettare 待つ 기다리다 wachten vente poczekać esperar ждать vänta รอ beklemek chờ đợi 等待