26984 words

waits

6 definitions • 15 examples
1
to allow time to go by, especially while staying in one place without doing very much, until someone comes, until something that you are expecting happens or until you can do something:

Examples:

wait for I waited for her outside while she went in to see the doctor.
The dentist kept me waiting for ages.
[ + to infinitive ] There were a lot of people waiting to use the phone.
2
to be done or to happen at a later time:

Examples:

have to wait The meeting will have to wait until tomorrow, because I'm too busy now.
can't wait The paperwork can't wait until tomorrow (= is urgent and must be done now).
3
used on signs to mean vehicles are not allowed to park, even for short periods of time:

Examples:

The sign by the side of the road said "no waiting!"
4
a period of time when you stay in one place until someone comes, or something happens, or until you can do something:

Examples:

have a wait We had a three-hour wait before we could see the doctor.
The long wait for the doctor/to see the doctor really made me anxious.
5
to allow time to go by, esp. without doing much, until something happens or can happen:

Examples:

[ I ] I waited in the car.
[ I ] Wait here for me – I’ll be back in a minute.
[ I ] The dentist kept me waiting for ages.
[ + to infinitive ] Several people are waiting to use the phone.
[ T ] Please get in line and wait your turn like everyone else.
6
If something waits, it is being delayed or is ready:

Examples:

[ I ] The meeting will have to wait until tomorrow.
[ I ] An envelope was waiting for me when I got home.

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